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Reflections
by Pam Thompson of Puerto
Vallarta
I have always felt that our lives are like a
giant ball of string, winding around the world, interconnecting
and crossing in
one way or another. Sort of like that six degrees of Kevin Bacon
thing. Several years ago I was
contacted by a kind lady named Colleen Mann who visits Puerto
Vallarta frequently (from Utah).
She brings many donations for those less
fortunate than us. Among her gifts was a bag of knitted caps for
children. They
are soft to the touch, multicolored and fleecy. Cozy and warm.
They were awesome but they became more awesome
when I learned the story behind them. They were knitted by her
mother-in-law, a 79-year-old woman named Joan Goss from
Ogden, Utah. Joan’s real name is Johanna Fransina Cornelia
Steinvoort, born in Rotterdam, Holland, who immigrated to
the United States in 1948. Her life was spent as a very active
woman skiing, kayaking and hiking. About six years ago
while on vacation a brain tumor was discovered. She had surgery
at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix and during surgery an artery
was severed, causing a stroke which paralyzed her completely on
her left side. This means all of these hats that she knits are
done with one hand! Her family tells me that her Dutch instincts
made her determined to continue to do the things she loves,
including needlework and reading. So Joan, bless her, continues
to send us bags of these caps which are, in turn, given to the
babies at Regional Hospital (which is for the poor) so their
lives are started with warm little heads. I can’t do a stitch
even with two good hands! And though I have never met her, she
has become an inspiration to me. She is a reminder that
we can do whatever we set our minds to and to be grateful for
what we do have. Who cares if we have to stand in line at the
bank for a long time? At least we have two legs to stand on! Who
cares if we have to cut back on a dinner out on the town due
to the financial pinch? At least we have food to eat! It is not
always easy to be appreciative of things and not grumble and
growl
about inconveniences. But in the whole big scheme of things,
these small nuisances are just that – little disruptions in our
lives. Joan reminds me of this quote which is anonymous: “I had
the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street I met
a man who had no feet.” Have an abundant week!
Pam,
originally from Central California, has lived in Puerto Vallarta
for a couple of decades and is involved with healthcare in the
area as well as several charitable organizations. She spends as
much time as possible with her family (son, daughter in law and
two grandchildren) who currently reside in San Sebastian,
operating the Hacienda Jalisco. You can connect with her at
pmt15@hotmail.com.
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