WHEN in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary….
The Wishes That Came True
byVanderleunonJanuary 10, 2019
Today I am retiring the “After the Paradise Fire” wishlist on Amazon. It was started before I got an apartment after the Camp Fire disaster blew up my home in Paradise. I had never had an Amazon “wishlist” before and there were several false starts before a reader showed me how to do it. After it was up I was stunned at how responsive all of my readers were. Wish after wish, my needs for various items were being granted at light speed.
Last night I finally built the last item I needed ( a desk on which I am writing this post) and this morning when I looked at the list I saw only a chair, and since I had just gotten a chair down at Office Depot, I deleted that final item. Then turning around inside this apartment I saw that I did have every needful thing necessary to go forward with this new stage of life after the fire. I saw that I now live, not in The House That Jack Built, but in The House That My Readers Built.
It is strange to live in a home in which everything is new except me, but that’s the case. It’s a home that I never could have managed on my own after the fires since, to recover from the fire, what you have to do is attach a firehose to your bank account and blast away. My readers have saved me from a very tight financial squeeze in both money donated and wishlist wishes granted.
If I have three wishes left in this life they would all be, first, second, and third, that God bless and keep all my readers.
Most likely I’m speaking for the rest of us when I say this: I will do it again, in a heartbeat, no questions asked.
And we’ll give your feline princess more kitty-nip and toys.
David BJanuary 10, 2019, 9:46 AM
Oh, Gerard, it was simple-
Hebrews 13:1-2
1 Continue in brotherly love. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
May God Bless and keep you and yours.
Back atcha’ Mr. V
We have a whole new category of human relationship thanks to the internet. We now have people we can regard as close friends even though we wouldn’t recognize one another if we were sitting together at a bus stop.
One more thing:
Something here I’d like to share. This last August an old friend of mine, an artist by the name of Pete Hampton passed away. He was painter of nature, a story teller, and a mad genius in the true sense of the word. I have come into possession of his complete body of work, and I am now photographing, and cataloguing it all.
I am keeping an on line chronicle of my progress. Yes, this is a shameless plug, but it’s a plug for Pete, not for me. Come have a look.
I didn’t do much but what I did was worth it just for the semi-profane furniture building story alone. Thanks for everything!
Bill in TennesseeJanuary 10, 2019, 10:29 AM
I hope you are indeed fully recovering, especially internally. A couple of years ago a lot of people near us in Gatlinburg, TN, lost everything in a widespread fire that burned hundreds of homes and businesses. Today many of them still seem shell-shocked and lost, although most of their material needs have been filled by the neighborly people of east Tennessee. Others have managed to move on and recover internally. I hope this for you, Gerard
PA CatJanuary 10, 2019, 10:45 AM
If I have three wishes left in this life they would all be, first, second, and third, that God bless and keep all my readers.
Apropos of the house that your readers built, we all had some help from a carpenter’s Son who’s been building human lives and homes for two millennia and counting.
And I’ll certainly keep your Editor in mind when her catnip stash runs low.
Phil in EnglewoodJanuary 10, 2019, 11:35 AM
The House That My Readers Built, or maybe The House that Gerard Built With His Amazing Blog and Stellar Writing, With Some Help From His Grateful Readers.
Lance de BoyleJanuary 10, 2019, 12:32 PM
I say we meet at Gerard’s July 4, and have a bbq.
Sam L.January 10, 2019, 12:53 PM
You’re welcome, Gerard. Shows somewhat how much we like your writing.
NickSVanJanuary 10, 2019, 12:58 PM
Good idea, Lance. I’m just a day’s drive north.
He’s gonna need a big yard to hold the crowd. A very big yard.
David SpenceJanuary 10, 2019, 1:20 PM
What Duchess of Kitty said times two! Best Christmas I ever had because I was helping someone truly in need rather than buying another trinket for those that have more than enough. Speaking for most, I can assure you it was our pleasure to help!
Very happy to hear this report. You are a rock and yet I imagine the emotional stuff is not small. You lost your house, and your town with it. Blessings your way, Gerard.
Thanks for your extra grace towards me. Things are good here, mostly. I found out this morning that my college buddy (we were a tight bunch) is in ICU. Life is not long for some. I am thankful for every connection.
More than happy to help, and even happier that you now have the “stuff” that we all need to live our lives.
God bless and here’s wishing you a great 2019!
JenniferJanuary 11, 2019, 3:56 AM
Happy to help! Your writing is a blessing. I’m grateful I can join the group here returning a small part of that blessing to you.
HJanuary 11, 2019, 7:37 AM
Wish I could have done more but things are a little tight at the moment. Thanks to all here who stepped up into that gap for me.
JaynieJanuary 11, 2019, 7:51 AM
Phil in Englewood said: “The House That My Readers Built, or maybe The House that Gerard Built With His Amazing Blog and Stellar Writing, With Some Help From His Grateful Readers.”
Yup.
And, just as Marica did, I got a lot out of your furniture construction piece.
And thanks for the blessing GVDL, always a welcome, good thing.
Take care.
AnonJanuary 11, 2019, 1:26 PM
You are welcome G.
The gift is in the giving.
Hangtown Bob and PegJanuary 12, 2019, 9:48 AM
Being given the opportunity to get to know you and help you is a blessing in itself.
Your words have welcomed me, your wisdom consoled me, and your example encouraged me while facing down the shattering of my own homelife in a consuming fire this past June. Example is the best teacher. Thanks!
Real World Address for Donations, Mash Notes and Hate Mail
Gerard Van der Leun
1692 MANGROVE AVE
APT 379
Chico, Ca 95926
Green Pants Interior by Klahn
Who Am I? by Carl Sandburg
My head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I reach my hands and play with pebbles of destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beauty
And the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs reading “Keep Off.”
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.
Duty, Beauty, Liberty, Country, Honor, Family, Faith — Plus a few simple easy to follow rules for guys
Men saw the stars at the edge of the sea
They thought great thoughts about liberty
Poets wrote down words that did fit
Writers wrote books
Thinkers thought about it
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
Many’s the road I have walked upon
Many’s the hour between dusk and dawn
Many’s the time
Many’s the mile
I see it all now
Through the eyes of a child
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
And close your eyes
Leave it all for a while
Leave the world
And your worries behind
You will build on whatever is real
And wake up each day
To a new waking dream
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Change, change come over
Change come over
Talkin’ about a change
Change, change
Change come over, now
Change, change, change come over
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
Gerard Van der Leun
Comments on this entry are closed.
Most likely I’m speaking for the rest of us when I say this: I will do it again, in a heartbeat, no questions asked.
And we’ll give your feline princess more kitty-nip and toys.
Oh, Gerard, it was simple-
Hebrews 13:1-2
1 Continue in brotherly love. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
May God Bless and keep you and yours.
Back atcha’ Mr. V
We have a whole new category of human relationship thanks to the internet. We now have people we can regard as close friends even though we wouldn’t recognize one another if we were sitting together at a bus stop.
One more thing:
Something here I’d like to share. This last August an old friend of mine, an artist by the name of Pete Hampton passed away. He was painter of nature, a story teller, and a mad genius in the true sense of the word. I have come into possession of his complete body of work, and I am now photographing, and cataloguing it all.
I am keeping an on line chronicle of my progress. Yes, this is a shameless plug, but it’s a plug for Pete, not for me. Come have a look.
Especially come see The Deep Dark Hole.
https://lostcanyonproject.blogspot.com/
….or just click on my nic. goes to the same place.
JWM
I didn’t do much but what I did was worth it just for the semi-profane furniture building story alone. Thanks for everything!
I hope you are indeed fully recovering, especially internally. A couple of years ago a lot of people near us in Gatlinburg, TN, lost everything in a widespread fire that burned hundreds of homes and businesses. Today many of them still seem shell-shocked and lost, although most of their material needs have been filled by the neighborly people of east Tennessee. Others have managed to move on and recover internally. I hope this for you, Gerard
If I have three wishes left in this life they would all be, first, second, and third, that God bless and keep all my readers.
Apropos of the house that your readers built, we all had some help from a carpenter’s Son who’s been building human lives and homes for two millennia and counting.
And I’ll certainly keep your Editor in mind when her catnip stash runs low.
The House That My Readers Built, or maybe The House that Gerard Built With His Amazing Blog and Stellar Writing, With Some Help From His Grateful Readers.
I say we meet at Gerard’s July 4, and have a bbq.
You’re welcome, Gerard. Shows somewhat how much we like your writing.
Good idea, Lance. I’m just a day’s drive north.
He’s gonna need a big yard to hold the crowd. A very big yard.
What Duchess of Kitty said times two! Best Christmas I ever had because I was helping someone truly in need rather than buying another trinket for those that have more than enough. Speaking for most, I can assure you it was our pleasure to help!
God bless you, Gerard! Glad your needs were met!
Very happy to hear this report. You are a rock and yet I imagine the emotional stuff is not small. You lost your house, and your town with it. Blessings your way, Gerard.
Thanks for your extra grace towards me. Things are good here, mostly. I found out this morning that my college buddy (we were a tight bunch) is in ICU. Life is not long for some. I am thankful for every connection.
More than happy to help, and even happier that you now have the “stuff” that we all need to live our lives.
God bless and here’s wishing you a great 2019!
Happy to help! Your writing is a blessing. I’m grateful I can join the group here returning a small part of that blessing to you.
Wish I could have done more but things are a little tight at the moment. Thanks to all here who stepped up into that gap for me.
Phil in Englewood said: “The House That My Readers Built, or maybe The House that Gerard Built With His Amazing Blog and Stellar Writing, With Some Help From His Grateful Readers.”
Yup.
And, just as Marica did, I got a lot out of your furniture construction piece.
And thanks for the blessing GVDL, always a welcome, good thing.
Take care.
You are welcome G.
The gift is in the giving.
Being given the opportunity to get to know you and help you is a blessing in itself.
Your words have welcomed me, your wisdom consoled me, and your example encouraged me while facing down the shattering of my own homelife in a consuming fire this past June. Example is the best teacher. Thanks!
It is such a small thing we did.