From June 5, 2023 The flight back to Haiti landed on time. My carry-on luggage contained lots of toys and special clothes for the kids. My friend, Nancy, aka the Queen of Decluttering, brought with her from Cleveland an assortment of toys and puzzles, including frisbees. I purchased an assortment of seven small toy cars for the boys, as well…
From June 4, 2023 Securing the operating funds for Santa Chiara is more stressful than coping with the violence inSanta Chiara. It takes about $25,000 a month to operate Santa Chiara…and half of thatcame from just one person. Before I went to the post office yesterday for the last time onthis short trip to Florida, we had only received just…
From June 3, 2023 It has been an exhausting nine days in Florida. While I am thrilled to have cleaned out andreorganized the storage unit (I moved more boxes from the apartment into it this week), it ate upa lot of time and so the normal administrative chores got crammed into the remaining time,leaving me no time for my relaxing…
From June 2, 2023 We live is a deeply uncompassionate and unjust world. Sprinkled throughout the world are compassionate people dedicated to feeding the hungry and standing firm for justice for all. With humility and fearlessness, they have abandoned all safeties and securities and are rooted in God. Living in the heart of Love, they strive to heal the suffering…
From June 1, 2023 Yesterday, I had a 9:00am appointed at Hyundai dealership in Vero Beach for an overdue service. It was raining. I woke up early. So, I hit the road earlier than I had planned. I arrived at 8:15am. There were no other cars in the service. I smiled, thinking I’d be out of there in under two…
From May 30, 2023 I rarely sleep more than six hours a night. I slept for nine hours on Sunday night. When I got up on Monday my body ached. But I felt a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders. For at least the last three years, I would visit the storage unit to search for something I…
From May 27, 2023 Gabens sent my first waive of photos to my dad about two weeks ago. But Dad was too busy to review and share them with Journal readers. So, while he is now busy in Florida cleaning out all his junk and clutter, he has found a little time to share my first photographs.
From May 26, 2023 On Wednesday before leaving for the airport, I entered my office and saw smoke drifting into the room. The big new window was open. People near to us were burning trash. The gentle breeze blew the smoke into my office. This is why my breathing became more labored in Haiti during this last trip.
From May 25, 2023 On Saturday, a friend from Cleveland (and former Chair of the Board) will be visiting me. She and her husband will be staying in a hotel within walking distance of the jetty. We will spend time clearing out my storage unit and making room in the apartment for Stéphanie. My closets are filled with boxes of…
From May 24, 2023 I travel back to Ft. Pierce, Florida later today. What pleases me is leaving Santa Chiara in the capable hand of Mr. Gabens Preval. We are so blessed to have him at the helm these last two years. He has literally transformed the culture and work ethic at Santa Chiara, bringing very capable and skilled people.…