Believe

You say that your sky has been changing lately. That you're tired and broken. That the answers you thought you'd found don't seem to work anymore.

We've been down these sad roads a hundred times before, sat quietly on lonely hillsides, cried with forgotten songs on the radio.

Always it was our belief in other days that got us through.

I remember planting dreams with you,chasing wishes and watching flowers. But what I remember best is how you always made me laugh, even when the world around us was falling part.

All these years walking the solitary paths where I found and lost myself a thousand times, I never felt alone because you were in my memory. You were there. And I will always stand by you.

Go outside now and walk away. Find one of these roads again somewhere, in the quiet shade of gentle trees. Take this note and hug your shadow and love yourself and remember these things:

There is nothing in the world worth giving up what you've already achieved. You will always be a fighter and a dreamer. Now more than ever, you've got to look deep within your heart and believe.

Unknown Author

Thinking

I read somewhere this evening if we devote at least fifteen minutes a day to thinking on a particular topic we will be better off for it.

Its easy for me to feel and feel things strongly...I also like to think I can think for myself...be rational about certain things..I think it takes practice...I'm going to think about it for awhile and share my thoughts later.

I want to exercise the more rational, well thought out muscle in the new year...2008 will be the year of balancing my heart and mind and taking action....

Mary Jo Doyle

By Eve Brownstone


“Whoosey…. Whoosey… whatsey… whatsey”….Mary Jo Doyle would say to explain anything that was not easily explainable…. like herself.

You were a dance partner, a friend, a mentor and a community leader….

Thank you for letting me know you…through your beaming smile there was more to you…

You would go out on Christmas Eve to hand out historical society membership information.

You had the kind of sweet heart that would take in your niece and six month old daughter…not for a couple of days but for a year and a half…

People talk these days about everybody is replaceable…. There is no one who can fill your shoes…you drove the bus and commanded the wheel especially at the historical society… You had the vision…the passion the guts the will to get things done…not everybody agreed with you all the time…I didn’t agree with you all the time…but I was astounded by your heart and commitment to our community of Rogers Park/West Ridge.


From your bed at Lakeshore, you were still editing the newsletter, organizing a party for your family and making sure Bert had a ride to the Founders Day picnic.

You dreamed of making it to Catalina…you planned to go…it became your hope of getting better.

I knew you were having a good day when you were bossy, up making lists….trying to keep track of all your visitors..phone calls…meds taken...keeping something under control..even if you couldn’t control what was happening with your body…

I was there with you when things were not so good…when you talked about the cancer being back…the pain...hospice…you were happy to go home..

When I would leave you at Lakeshore I would touch my fist to yours as a sign of respect. You would smile when we did this. You would let me know you were still fighting the cancer.

The last time I saw you were in bed at home. Your hand could no longer make a fist but was out stretched as if in acceptance of what was happening. You looked peaceful and loved ones were close by taking good care of you.

I remember the music playing in your room, angelic choir music.

Standing at your bedside, I had a clear image of you…in one of your colorful outfits…on a large dance floor filled with your loved ones: your husband, John, your parents, your brother and sister and many others who love you and have been waiting for you. In this vision, you are beaming with so much love and vitality. I was filled with tears not of sorrow but of joy, knowing you would be dancing very soon with so much love surrounding you.

Bless you Mary Jo…

Article about Oral History in New Star

Article about Oral History in NewStar read all about it!

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/newsstar/news/680176,SN-VideoLegacy-120507-s1.article

Eve Brownstone

New Videos

Check out my new videos at ..
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=ebrown67&p=r
Also check out www.rogerspark.com.

Baxter Swilley who is trying to bring the Olympics here to Chicago in 2016 with Citizens for 2016

Maureen Flowers, a new family owned flowershop in Rogers park

Stay Warm!

December

December is cold...but it also means we are closer to spring..we also have the holidays...Chanuka..Christmas...Quanza....New Years....I find it a good time to reflect and setting goals...letting go of stuff that isn't working....Stay warm everybody...Happy Chanuka!