Wordless Wednesday – 8/12/20
Thanks for sharing a little
of my Montana Wordless Wednesday
with me.
It was a great day!
See ya tomorrow.
Love ya,
JanBeek
Archive for the ‘friendship’ Category
He Could Have Been Me
As the “Black Lives Matter” protests gain less and less news coverage and the reason for the demonstrations that are still happening become obscured in the face of violence, looting, burning of buildings, and disjointed opinions, let’s revisit the subject!
Black Lives Matter
A chilling thought flashed into Isaiah McKinnon’s mind the first time he watched the Minneapolis video seen around the world of George Floyd’s death.
“George Floyd could have been me,” the former Detroit police chief wrote at the start of a Free Press guest column.
McKinnon joined the Detroit city’s force in the summer of 1965, four years after graduating from Cass Tech High School and entering the Air Force. He served as chief from 1993-98 and was deputy mayor from 2014-16.
Isaiah ‘Ike’ McKinnon asked: “What were they willing to do to Black civilians?” (Photo: Facebook/2014)
A Personal Account
In Isaiah McKinnon’s vivid commentary, the 76-year-old retiree — still a Detroiter — recalled blatant racism when he entered law enforcement five and a half decades ago:
“As a rookie officer, I encountered overt and casual bigotry and routine denigration and brutality. Many white officers refused to ride alongside Black officers. Some made cardboard dividers in patrol cars — designating the ‘white’ section from the ‘colored.’ Others used Lysol to ‘disinfect’ seats where Black officers sat. Some of my white colleagues refused to speak with me during shifts, dared not eat near or with me, and frequently used the ‘N-word’ to describe me and the African American citizens they were sworn to protect.
Two years later, I felt the sting of betrayal as an officer during the 1967 rebellion. One night, after a grueling shift, two white DPD officers pulled me over. I was still in uniform, badge affixed to my chest, and a #2 pin on my collar, indicating that I worked in the 2nd Precinct. I identified myself as a fellow officer, thinking they would see me as an equal. Instead, one pointed his gun at me and said, ‘tonight you’re going to die, N….’ before discharging his weapon. I dove back into my vehicle and miraculously managed to escape. I realized then that not even our shared uniform could save me from their racism. And I wondered if they were willing to shoot and kill a Black police officer, what were they willing to do to Black civilians?
As a supervisor a few years later, I stopped a group of officers from beating three Black teens. I was finally in a position to hold them accountable for their excessive use of force. But my precinct commander yelled at me for attempting to ‘ruin the lives of those good officers.’
I witnessed this kind of complicity repeatedly. When other officers reported abuse, as they should, they were ostracized, transferred to lesser assignments and treated so poorly that many quit.”
McKinnon, known widely as “Ike,” wrapped up his account with a call for “a change at all levels.”
“Now is the time to get to the heart of the matter: There must be a major effort to fundamentally restructure police departments so that they actually do what they promise: serve and protect all people.“
Listen to the Ones Who Know
McKinnon knows what he’s talking about! He is credible. He has lived the scenes of discrimination and experienced the violence first-hand. “Ike” has met six U.S. Presidents and Nelson Mandela, and has appeared on the “Today Show”, “Good Morning America”, “Oprah”, and “The History Channel.” He is a national motivational/inspirational speaker to Fortune 500 companies and schools.
Ike began his five decade career in public service as an officer with the Detroit Police Department in 1965. He held more than ten different positions in the department including patrol operations and various supervisory, administrative, command, and executive roles, before retiring as an Inspector to start his own security firm. In 1993, McKinnon returned to the Detroit Police Department to serve as Chief. Under his five years of leadership, hundreds of police officers were directed to go into city neighborhoods and introduce themselves to residents in an effort to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community. In addition to shifting the focus of the department to community-driven policing, he advocated for and implemented training programs for officers responding to domestic violence.
What to Do Now
Let’s continue the leadership McKinnon demonstrated during his tenure with the Detroit Police Dept. Let’s make sure we engage across the USA in some of the practices that will help:
- Send police officers into neighborhoods to bridge the gap between the law enforcement and the community
- Shift the focus of the departments to community-driven policing
- Continue funding our police departments as we train officers to respond in appropriate ways to various needs
- Advocate for and implement training programs for officers responding to domestic violence
- Hire officers who demonstrate compassion – and fire those who do not!
- Oh, and do not forget about ME! I am part of the problem if I do not check my “White Privilege” at the door – and examine my own heart and actions. Am I guilty of prejudice unintentionally? If so, how? And what can I do about it in my own life??
Don’t let this continue to happen!
No more needless deaths!
No more hatred!
No more discrimination!
Reach out in love
Call Unity into Action.
Just LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!
Be the change you want to see in the world!
Sending Love
Have a Marvelous Monday.
Hugs,
JanBeek
It’s Not Fair!
Sermon Notes
August 9, 2020
Rev. Steve Hundley
Jan’s poetic notes taken while listening
to Steve’s message based on John 21:15-23
“A Side-Long Glance”
Amen!
Jesus was with His disciples on shore.
Peter thought Jesus didn’t believe him.
Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep.
The answer failed to relieve him.
Have you ever felt misunderstood?
Ever had your sincerity questioned bare?
Peter told Jesus, “You know I love You.”
Jesus had asked him three times there.
Was Jesus expecting too much of Peter?
Does He expect too much of us?
A tithe is a tenth of what you make.
The visible return’s not much to see – why fuss?
Well, Jesus expected even more than a tenth.
“What about him?” Peter asked.
Like Peter, we question others’ faith.
We want Jesus to take ’em to task.
There has to be a difference between
Faith and foolishness – so it’s not fair
Those rich folks don’t seem to give –
They don’t seem to do their share.
We cast a side-long glance across the aisle,
And we ask, as Peter did, “What about them?”
And Jesus answers us as He did Peter,
“What is it to you?” From where does fairness stem?
Jesus says, “Feed My sheep -just love!”
Your side-long glance has no place here.
You do your fair share and don’t worry about
What others do. Give, love, and have no fear.
No side-long glances allowed.
Look ahead at the One who stands
Before a hurting world and says,
“Feed My sheep in all My lands.”
Just follow Jesus –
And what will happen today?
To tell the truth, I don’t know!
Just do it anyway!!
After church today we had a barbecue. It was the kick-off of the fiscal year’s drive for finances to fund the Pastor Search Committee and to consider our pledges for the 2020-21 church budget. Jesus said, “Feed My sheep!” and these sheep were fed in grand style out on the church lawn.
Charlie and his wife, Judy, were our greeters.
Ray and Barbara enjoyed the food and fellowship.
After the church BBQ, we went to my friend, Sue’s. Her birthday is tomorrow. We needed to sing “Happy Birthday!” while we socially distanced. She and her husband are being really careful around this COVID-19 … especially with Montana’s case numbers rising. They are being kept really busy at their beautiful home. Just look at their gardens!
Sue and Jerry joined the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church on the same Sunday Bob & I did nearly 15 years ago. We have been fast friends ever since. The two of them built this gorgeous house themselves! Just this summer they added that deck outside their bedroom window on the right.
Here is the front of the house:
They lived in it for a couple of years while they built their house.
We had more than a couple cozy dinners there.
Tell me in the comments section below.
Yes, we are blessed. We live in the gorgeous Madison Valley. We have a terrific church, a wonderful pastor who gives great sermons, beautiful friends, and a picture-perfect setting with glorious August sunshine and enormous “BigSky” drama. Ah, my friends, life is good!
No need for side-long glances. Keep your eyes on your own blessings, your own giving, and your own business. No need focusing on what’s “not fair!” Remember while you’re counting your blessings to share your love with others with your whole heart!
Do have a fantastic week ahead.
Thanks for visiting
and for sharing with me the sermon
and our visit with Sue.
Happy Birthday, Sue!!
Love you, Sue!!
Virtual Hugs,
JanBeek
Wonders & Miracles
Job 5:9
“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.”
MIRACLE!
The fact that I was able to go on that ATV ride yesterday on those bumpy, rocky trails is in itself a miracle. You know I had hernia surgery on my mid-section last month. To enjoy yesterday with Bob & our friends was a WONDER, for sure! And today I am no worse for the wear… Thank God!
The miracle of the sea and the tides,
the daily rising and setting of the sun and moon,
these are miracles that never cease to amaze me.
And if miraculous healing, sunrises and sunsets are not enough for you,
look in the mirror!!
It’s a wonder that
We can see the miracle in us
And in others, too.
Keep searching for them
Wonders and miracles are
Everywhere you look!!
Just keep looking up.
God will show you His wonders-
And you will share them.
Thank you to Pexels
For putting God’s wonders here
At our fingertips!
I may not travel
To Thailand to see this sight
But Pexels shares it
Where do you want to
Go – and what do you want to see?
What interests are yours?
I may not see Guam
In person in my lifetime,
But I can Google.
I can imagine
The miracle of the flight
That takes me to Guam.
“Why Guam?” you ask me.
“Why not?” I respond to you.
It fascinates me.
Why does Pexels show
An undersea photograph
Of a Guam turtle?
Surely there is more
To Guam and its miracles –
More than sea turtles!
Did you know that Guam
Is U.S. territory?
I am in wonder!
I wonder when Guam
Became part of the U.S.
It’s a miracle!
A miracle that
I chose that place to learn more –
Not having a clue!
The inhabitants
of Guam are American
citizens by birth.
I must have learned that
When they had a hurricane –
‘Twas devastating!
I remember now
The terrible destruction
And our lack of help.
I wonder why we
Didn’t do more to assist?
Do you wonder, too?
Google says,
“The Micronesian
nation offers beautiful
white beaches, exotic wildlife,
and intriguing culture and history.”
Through the miracle of You.Tube you can take a virtual trip to Guam and you can learn about its history and see its beauty… and you will WONDER how many of these gorgeous places might have survived or been destroyed by that hurricane. This video was created in 2016 and the hurricane was in 2019.
Like me, you will WONDER why this site doesn’t list the PEOPLE who died in this tragic event. Certainly they are more important than the $3.3 million in damage. And you want to hear stories of the MIRACLES of survival in the midst of such devastation, right?
As I quoted from the Bible at the beginning of this post,
in Job 5:9 it says,
“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.”
Everywhere we look in this world, there are wonders and miracles to behold.
Open your eyes to them, my friends.
I told you some of the ones I see
and some I would like to travel and see.
How about you?
What miracles do you see?
What wonders do you want to see?
How do you see yourself?
Do you know YOU ARE A MIRACLE?
How alert is your funny bone?
Are you ready for the miracle of laughter
that brings healthy endorphins into your body?
Keep on laughing.
It does wonders for your mental health!
Love ya,
JanBeek
Bee Kind to Yourself
Bee kind to yourself –
You are a special person.
You “moose” treat yourself with love.
Bee kind to yourself –
Wrap yourself in perkiness.
Smile in the mirror.
Bee kind to yourself –
Find the most perfect head wrap.
Wrap yourself in love.
Go to 720Royal.com and treat yourself …
Be Kind to Yourself!
There’s where I found those beautiful head wrap pictures.
I may have to “Shop Now”
to find that perky, beautiful fabric.
Will you teach me to tie it that way?
Will they make me a gorgeous as those lovely ladies?
a perfect “head wrap”
for her hubby, Andre’
Bee kind to yourself –
Hug your sweetheart every day.
Don’t let life skunk you!
Photographer extraordinaire!
Bee kind to yourself –
And share your love with others.
Reach out to loved ones.
With today’s virus,
Social distancing’s a must.
Don’t let it stop you!
Sharing’s essential –
And loneliness is rampant.
Kindness is two-way!
Share kindness with friends.
‘Cuz what you give blesses you.
Imitate Jesus!
Kindness lifts others.
Just as Jesus lifts you up,
Imitate His love!
Be kind to yourself –
Go find a beautiful spot,
And share it today.
Julie and Lisa
Shared with each other the view
And walk in the park.
Beauty’s more lovely
When shared with one another.
Who might walk with you?
Or who might visit,
Enjoy the flowers and porch?
Reach out to someone.
Let your love brighten
The life of those around you.
Be kind to them, too.
Share your gorgeous views
And notice how your love shines
And kindness returns.
Love and prayers sending your way.
Bee well … Bee Safe … Bee Kind!
What did you do to “Bee Kind” to yourself or others today?
(Or what do you plan to do?)
Live intentionally.
See you tomorrow.
Hugs,
JanBeek
Point of Light
You can be a point of light.
You can make the difference
in someone else’s life.
Shine light into someone’s darkness.
Be the “Someone” who helps another cross the street.
Be the first person who really SEES someone!
My New Year’s Resolution for 2020 was to “Walk the Talk.”
Little did I know on January 1, 2020
how many opportunities
I would have
to do just that!
You, too, have the chance every day to be the Point of Light for someone.
You have the chance to be what God made you to be, “A Point of Light.”
Someone is just waiting and listening…
knowing you’ll be there.
Be the Point of Light!
Walk the Talk, my friends.
Bee Well… Bee Real.
See ya tomorrow.
Hugs,
JanBeek
There Are Angels Among Us
Angels are with us
In every walk of our life
Most have hidden wings
My angel friend, Terry, sent me this Jana Stanfield video.
She said I am her angel.
Truth is: she is mine!
Can it be that we serve one another
As angels here on earth?
Can it be that you are one, too?
Look at these darling children.
Each of them is an angel here on earth.
They just keep their wings hidden!
(Except for the cymbalist… I think I see his wings peeking out!)
“Somewhere amongst them,
or betwixt them,
or gazing adoringly up at them
just like you,
here I am.”
That was a sentence I captured
on a blog yesterday, but didn’t get the author’s name.
I apologize. If you know who wrote this,
please tell me in the comments below and I’ll add it.
It is angelic writing, don’t you agree?
to you, my friends.
I have a host of angels here on earth
who bring God’s love to me on a daily basis.
I bet you do, too.
Think about them today.
Reach out and thank them today
for the joy they bring to you.
Some of my Angels
This is Bob’s older brother, Bill, with his wife, Margie.
Bob’s family members are angels in our lives.
With them is our son, Ty, and daughter-in-love, Monika.
We are so blessed to have Tyroneee and Moni as angels among us.
Here is Terry
(the friend who sent me Jana Stanfield’s angel song)
with her husband, our friend, Jim.
Can you just see what angels they are?
We call Terry “SPARKLES!”
She sparkles with love and compassion.
When I came home from the hospital after my recent hernia surgery, Terry sent Bob to get me at the hospital with this angel blanket that’s now draped over my bedroom chair. That’s what angel friends do: they wrap you warmly in their loving arms… and send you kisses!
This collage of photos from my sister, Sally, has several angels pictured on it. My dad to start with – bottom center – what an angel! My sis and my niece, Jodie with her son, Liam and husband, Bill. They are angels in my life, too.
And if you look closely, you can see Sally with TazE… our Boston Terrier. She was going to be named “Angel.” I had that name all picked out for her – until we met her!! TazE was a Tasmanian Devil (Taz) with E for Ears to match her bouncy personality and oversized ears. No, she was not an angel at all. But she has quieted down in her old age (she’s nine now) and maybe she qualifies as an angel in my life at this time. You think?
Chris is one of my three Swiss grandsons. He lived with us for a while last year … and was such an angel in our lives. Our seven grandchildren continue to be angels. Here is my youngest granddaughter, Faith (now 24) … Of course, she’s an angel in our lives!
I hope you have a BFF – (Best Friend Forever) – a long term angel friend – someone you can count on in all circumstances – someone like my friend, Marcie:
just to express condolences about my cousin, Cliff.
What a thoughtful, sweet, angel friend Marcie is!!
We all have angels in our lives. People we will love until the end of time… people who exude God’s love. They are compassionate and considerate. They seem to know when we need them and they are there at the most important times. God bless the angels among us!
Each of you who comes to JanBeek
and bothers to read and comment is
An Angel of Mine!
What you mean to me, you’ll never know….
You came at just the right time into my life-
and I want to share it with you…
I appreciate you so much!
Tell me abut some of your angels!
See you tomorrow.
((( Hugs )))
JanBeek
Selah
Selah
It is time to pause
Received blessings, expressed thanks
Now stop and absorb
lovely birthday wishes.
It is time to pause
Today is a “Selah Day”
Psalm 61:4
“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take shelter in the refuge of your wings.”
Selah (Pause)
Have a restful Saturday.
What are your plans?
I’m just gonna “cool it!”
Sending love and gratitude,
JanBeek
Too Many Birthdays
Every time Bob and I see someone who is driving like they don’t have a brain in their gray and wrinkled head, we comment to one another, “Too many birthdays!” We’ve been doing that for years. And guess what? Now we are they!!
Hey, her butt didn’t used to be gray!!!
Well, at least HE is they! At 81 (he’ll be 82 in December), Bob is 5 months ahead of me. He’ll always be older! I can smile in the rear view mirror, wear a hat to cover the gray, and pretend I’m still a young chick! Heck, age is just a matter of how you feel, right? HEALTH is everything! Love is essential. God is good!
Yup, today is my birthday…
and for the next 5 months,
Bob & I are the same age.
No way!!
The hair may be gray, and the face has a few added wrinkles with “too many birthdays,” but age is a matter of the MIND. Right? If you don’t mind, I don’t mind!
Just don’t call me old!!
Tell me I’m “bee-YOU-tiful”
like this card I received yesterday
from Bob’s sister!
(Thank you, Bonnie)
And pick a few flowers from your garden to decorate your table…
like my neighbor, Sue, did yesterday.
(God bless her)
Keep singing and dancing
(ya gotta keep movin’),
writing and blogging your thoughts,
dreaming and making those dreams come true,
living your passions,
and you’ll never have
“Too Many Birthdays” –
no matter how many years
the calendar tells you!!
It’s time to open presents,
sing the birthday song,
blow out a few candles (don’t try to count them!)
and praise God for the years
he has given me “Too Many Birthdays!”
I’ll take ’em all – gladly!
I thank God every day for my health,
and for my driver, Bob!
Have a Fabulous Friday!
I’ll see you tomorrow
and tell you all about
my “Happy (not too many) Birthday!”
Come on, friends, sing along.
I’m listening!!
(When I get old, I’m gonna wear more purple…
Just don’t rush me!)
Love,
JanBeek
Speaking to Dementia
Communicating with Loved Ones
How do you speak – especially during social distancing – with a loved one who has dementia?
My sister, Sally, has dementia. She lives in a Masonic Home less than five minutes from her daughter, Jodie. It’s in Pennsylvania – a loooong ways from me in Montana! But, even though they are close, in today’s pandemic world, Jodie can’t go to visit her. Sally is on the second floor of the care facility and when Jodie drives to see her, she is not even allowed out of her car. They just have to wave to one another out their windows.
I am sure that is a very smart safety precaution on the part of the Masonic Home. Jodie just tested positive for the virus last week! Now she is in quarantine for two weeks.
Finding Assistance
On Sunday I had my first ZOOM meeting with my sis. Rochelle, the Activities Director facilitated the meeting. Sally was basically non-responsive, so it was hard to know what to say. Rochelle repeated my comments to be sure Sally heard, but even then I barely got a nod most of the time. Still, it was good to see her.
Do You Relate?
Do you have a parent or sibling, a neighbor or friend with dementia? If so, you know what I mean. You’ve been in my shoes, and you long to be up close and personal with your loved one so you can look into each other’s eyes and make real connections.
Here are Bob and me with my sis, Sally, and her husband, Dave, waaaay back in the days of flat-tops, skinny ties and thighs, and 3″ heels! It must have been Easter … we’re all decked out. I will send her this photo. Dave died of a massive heart-attack more than 20 years ago. Pictures are an important way to tap into memories.
Using Technology to Tap Memories
I took my laptop out on the porch and showed Sally our scene of the mountains. I reminded her of the Thanksgivings we have spent together here sitting on the porch (or looking out this window), enjoying that view. Still, no change of facial expression and no words. Maybe it’s because the ground and mountains are often snow-covered in November!
Don’t Give Up – Keep Trying!
I talked about our times together at various Thanksgivings around the dining room table and showed her that scene. She has visited us in November at least ten years in a row before she needed to go to assisted living and wisely chose to be near her daughter and grandson.
She nodded as if she remembered Gloria.
No response… but a picture is worth a thousand words.
I will send this one to her.
Reach Way Back
Reaching back into the cobwebs of my brain, I remembered us as young girls sitting on our grandmother’s porch, reaching out into the “weeds” and finding stalks of sweet anise, breaking them off, and munching on them like you might snack on a stalk of celery.
Actually, I still love to munch on sweet anise. I remembered I have some in the refrigerator. So, I went with my laptop over to the kitchen. I opened the fridge and asked Sally if she remembered sitting on Grandma’s porch, nibbling on this while we waited for mom to come and get us after school.
When I showed her the sweet anise (commonly known today as fennel), I got my first real smile from her. She nodded. Ah, folks, smells and food are great memory triggers!!
Fennel or sweet anise tastes like
celery flavored with black licorice.
The greatest trigger for memory when you are visiting with a loved one who has dementia is music. Find an old tune. Dig out that old pair of shoes that might bring back memories and play the sweet old songs that mom used to sing to us.
Study and Seek advice
Today on Facebook, my niece Tammy, who is a registered nurse and works with many Alzheimer’s patients, posted this helpful reminder:
Apply What You Learn – Reach Out
I have a friend in our nursing home here in Ennis who has dementia. During this COVID-19 pandemic, the residents have been on lock-down. No visitors. No outings. But recently, the nursing home constructed a “Visiting Booth.” It’s a little 8′ x8′ structure with a roof, two side walls (north and south), an opening to the east. It has a plexiglass partition to the west.
On a sunny day this week I called the nursing home and scheduled a visit with my friend. The nursing home arranges half hour visitations. At the appointed time, the CNA, Bonney, wheeled the resident (my friend) out into the fresh air and into the booth. I sat on the outside of the plexiglass on a park bench. It was hard to hear, but Bonney did what Rochelle had done for my sister and me. She repeated to my friend whatever I said.
I brought my laptop and my cell phone. Used the cell phone “hot spot” to connect to the internet. Logged on to a five year old video of my friend’s daughter singing and playing the SAW in a church service. Bonney brought the laptop into the booth and held it close to my friend. Of course, she thoroughly enjoyed seeing her daughter, hearing that beautiful, inspiring song, and visiting with me about things we had done together in years past.
I left with a song in my heart at the end of our visiting time. I couldn’t figure out how to get the video of Peggy and her saw from my FB page to this post. But, I found Peggy with her violin singing and playing “How Great is Our God” with Jordy Christo, on You.Tube, so I’ll post that here.
If you go to http://www.facebook.com/janbeekman you can find the “Amazing Grace” video with Peggy and her saw. It’s worth the click and your time. This is what it’ll look like when you get there:
I pray that you are inspired
to reach out to someone today
who needs to hear from you.
We may be limited by this pandemic,
but we are not frozen.
Do what you can
to brighten someone’s day!
She’s 14 months older than I am…
Always responsible and well-behaved!
See ya tomorrow.
Have a Wonderful Wednesday.
Love and Hugs…
Stay Well!!
JanBeek
