My friend Donna

There's a few people in my life I've come across that leave me saying, "when I grow up, I want to be like them." Take a look at this picture of my friend Donna. Well? A pictures worth a thousand words and if you can't see them here, don't you wish you could? When I first met Donna, it was during church. She sits towards the back, (a place notorious for trouble makers) and as church began we had just started our conversation. Being in the back too and trying to make friends with this spicy little old lady, I said, "I have good ears for piercing... Do you think i should get my ears pierced or get a tattoo?" (side note... my wife would allow neither) I like to push buttons sometimes and my attempt with such a harsh suggestion in my attempt to raise an eyebrow backfired. Donna responded, "Well, I got a tattoo. I love bluebirds and I wanted a little bluebird on my on my forearm so I could look at one everyday... See?" There it was, a little bluebird painted on the inside of her forearm. All I could think is, "I want to party with you." Her smile never faded and I realized i was in the presence of a very joyful woman. Her life, however, has had many difficult times. Catching up for lost time? I'm not sure, but her past roads have been tough. You would never know looking at her today. You would also never know by looking at her today that her body is fighting a losing battle with cancer. She still glows with a beauty that refuses to give in to the terrible destruction within her. She lives in Christ. Death has no sting and death has no victory. What a wonderful thing. For today, I am thankful for the conversation we share and I look forward to an eternity of sharing. When I grow up, I want to have a piece of Donna's spirit... I think I already do. peace. johno~

Best kept secret

I do love photography. It is a wonderful outlet for me. It stops the rushing world around me and makes me stand still. Details. To be able to share lives in this forum is a great blessing for me. Old lives and new ones, old friends and new ones. Landon Michaelson presented a lighting class at our photography association class a few months ago and it was wonderful. I knew there was something different about him. Not only does he tower over the masses in his physical height his smile and joy overflowed. Overflowed... that's something that doesn't come with many. It is a sign of the Spirit. I gathered knowledge from the class, got a business card and went on my way with a promise to connect sometime. Time. Time. Shopping time at Costco, I ran into Landon and his family, again, the smile and I felt the "overflow." I met his wife and two children and recommitied to "hook up" again. In a follow up email, Landon wrote, "Good to see you again. Contact me anytime about anything. Always good to meet up with another photographer, family man, and man of faith!" I KNEW IT! ANOTHER MAN OF FAITH! When the Spirit of God lives in lives, it's different. My time in knowing Landon has not been long, however, it is a relationship which will live into eternity. I love that. I look forward to the many adventures we will have... the rest of our eternity. peace. johno~