Responses to the Elder Statesman’s guest column
On Friday, August 1, 2008, the Elder Statesman wrote a guest column for Suzanne Beecher, who writes a daily column for her DearReader.Com online book club, a national club for her on-line readers of her weekly offerings of excerpts from books. This is the column and the e-mail responses from readers:
Dear Reader,
My friend Bill Duncan is a "regular." He fills in for me every year when I’m on vacation because readers seem to like him as much as I do. Bill’s a very talented writer with a tender, caring heart, yet he’s the kind of friend who kicks you in the hinny (with love) when you need it. He’s one of a kind and I’m so lucky to have him as a friend. Enjoy Bill’s column and be sure to drop him a line–he answers all of his mail. Thanks Bill…
Gratefully,
Suzanne Beecher
Today’s Guest Column by Bill Duncan:
When I write a guest column for Suzanne I know my audience because everyone of you is a reader. I am going to introduce you to a writer friend of mine, June Cotner of Poulsbo, Washington.
I met June when I wrote a book review on one of her books back before the turn of the century. Since that first review, I have reviewed many of June’s books, but of all the books I think my favorite is "Forever in Love." That is probably because of a personal experience.
I am a Hospice volunteer at the Veteran’s Hospital in Roseburg, Oregon. I was on duty the day the book arrived in the post and I took it with me to the hospital. I was with a dying patient, a woman veteran. When I arrived she was asleep, so I started reading Cotner’s book. I heard my patient stir and then saw her open her eyes. In a weak voice she asked:
"What are you reading?"
A book of poems, I replied.
She asked me to read to her. I chose at random, "On Valentine’s Day." It goes:
"An old man got on a bus one February 14, carrying a dozen roses. He sat behind a young man, who said: ‘Somebody’s going to get a beautiful Valentine’s Day gift.’
‘Yes,’ said the old man.
A few minutes went by and the old man noticed that his young companion was staring at the roses. ‘Do you have a girlfriend?’ the old man asked.
‘I do,’ said the young man. ‘I’m going to see her right now and I’m going to give her this Valentine’s Day card.’
They rode in silence for another ten minutes and then the old man got up to get off the bus. As he stepped out into the aisle, he suddenly placed the roses on the young man’s lap and said: ‘I think my wife would want you to have these. I’ll tell her I gave them to you.’
He left the bus quickly. As the bus pulled away, the young man turned to see the old man enter the gates of a cemetery."
–Author unknown.
My patient listened quietly as I read. Then said in a weak whisper, "That sounds like something my husband would do," and drifted back into a drug induced sleep.
She died the next day.
When I told June this story, she said: "I endeavor to create books that uplift the human spirit, offer comfort, encouragement, hope and inspiration for everyday life."
–Bill Duncan
He loves to hear from readers and he answers all of his mail. Bill Duncan is a syndicated newspaper columnist on the West Coast. He also teaches a writing course at the local college. Readers can read his columns and book reviews on his blog: http://www.theduncansonline.com/elderstatesman/
June’s next book, "Dog Blessings: Poems, Prose, and Prayers Celebrating Our Relationship with Dogs," will be published in October. She is currently working on the final manuscript for "Serenity Prayers: Prayers, Poems, and Prose to Soothe Your Soul," which will be published in the Spring 2009.
Subject: Book Club
Date: August 1, 2008 5:30:00 AM PDT
Hi Bill,
The first thing that caught my attention in your guest column for Suzanne was the town you mention, Poulsbo, WA. I visited my brother’s family on Bainbridge Island and I remember Poulsbo! We got fresh crabs there, and they were great.
But what prompted me to write was the poem "On Valentines Day". To say it touched me deeply is an understatement. And the fact that you were reading it to a veteran in a hospital even more impressive. I have been thinking about what I want to do when I am able to leave the workforce. I usually think I want to volunteer in a library – one of my favorite places. But the idea of volunteering in a VA hospital is very intriguing. And a great way to give back to those who have given so much.
Thanks for the new book idea for me to look for, "Forever in Love" and for the new idea of what I might want to do when I grow up.
Sincerely,
Mary Snow
Subject: Hi Bill
Date: August 1, 2008 7:32:12 AM PDT
Hi, Bill,
I enjoyed reading your Dear Reader Column and the Valentine’s Day poem, which gave me shivers. Thank you for your contribution; it’s much appreciated.
I was wondering–would you be interested in reviewing my book, Embrace Ultra-Ability! Wisdom, Insight & Motivation from the Blind Who Sees Far and Wide? It’s a finalist in the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. I’m pasting some information below. If you’re interested, please provide the address to where I should mail a review copy.
Should you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to ask, and I would be more than glad to best assist you. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Would you want to live positively and passionately, and welcome ultra-ability into your life? Filled with the blind author’s precocious wisdom, insight and personal experiences, this new self-growth book empowers and shows you how to:
• Create an essential spiritual foundation for a truly successful life
• Love the life you live
• Limit your limitations to achieve greatness
• Maximize time usage and avoid time wasters
• Effectively conquer and prepare for challenges and negativity
• Win with positivity
• Establish and go for your gold medals in life
• And many more tips to help you soar with ultra-ability!
“If there is ever to be a poster person for people with ultra-abilities, it would have to be twenty-four-year-old Shirley Cheng. …(a) power-packed guide…full of sage advice, helpful exercises, common sense analyses…tough love prescriptions…”
-ForeWord Magazine
CLARION Reviews
“(Written) with verve and conviction…ever cutting to the chase.”
-Kirkus Discoveries
“…filled with wise, practical, and eminently usable advice and guidance…an inspiring book and can be used daily by most readers to keep their spirits uplifted and their love of life, reinforced!”
-Dr. Paul A. Johnson, Ph.D., Clinical & Consulting Psychologist
“Cheng manages to do a more than credible job of addressing nearly every roadblock to personal success… I recommend this book to conscious people in the act of living the best life possible.”
-Patricia Hamilton, Park Place Publications
“…each teenager should be given this book in High School as a basis from which to build their values, morals and gratitude toward life. I honor her endurance and envy her strength.”
-Trish Lay, Life/Leadership Coach, Speaker, Author
“…a powerful book that demonstrates a spiritual insight I have not seen in a person as young as she is. I highly recommend this book for those seeking ways to embrace every aspect of their lives and develop them to serve others.”
-Rowena Holloway, Ordained Lay Minister, Speaker, Co-Author of the Pray it Forward Trilogy
Shirley Cheng (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled award-winning author, motivational speaker, self-empowerment expert, poet, author and contributor of twenty books, has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since infancy. Owing to years of hospitalization, she received no education until age eleven. However, she mastered grade level in all areas after about 180 days of special education in elementary school and entered regular sixth grade. After a successful eye surgery, Shirley hopes to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University.
Best regards,
Shirley Cheng
Award-Winning Author
Miracle survivor, inspiring author and contributing author of 20 books by age 25, poet, motivational speaker, self-empowerment expert, advocate, and a co-author in the bestselling Wake Up…Live the Life You Love book series
Board member of World Positive Thinkers Club http://www.shirleycheng.com Having a bad day? Then meet Shirley Cheng, A.K.A. the modern day Helen Keller, to inspire, empower, and motivate you to go for your gold medal in life!
"Although I’m blind, I can see far and wide; even though I’m disabled, I can climb high mountains. Let the ropes of hope haul you high!" Sign up to Inspiration from a Blind newsletter by sending an e-mail to:
shirleynewsletter@shirleycheng.com
Please sign the Parental Rights in Children’s Medical Care: Give Parents the Right to Say No Petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/parentr7/petition.html
Subject: lovely
Date: August 1, 2008 6:12:19 AM PDT
Oh, that was positively lovely. I don’t mind starting my day with tears in my eyes. My Dad was a wonderful man. He was smart, crazy, loving, and kind. He always said that people are basically good. Sometimes I think we just forget to notice the good things. We get so hung up on all the nasty stuff going on around us. You are definitely among the good people that Dad was talking about.
Viv Henriksen
Subject: Suzanne’s Book Club
Date: August 1, 2008 6:01:43 AM PDT
read your guest column today and while I was really touched by the poem you quoted (and will reserve that book at the library), I was also touched that you gave the spotlight to someone else today. I think that speak volumes [for us book lovers : ) ] about how kind you really are. I will also check out your website. Thank you for starting my morning off so nicely.
*
Subject: Thanks for sharing a memory
Date: August 1, 2008 4:10:02 AM PDT
Good morning Bill,
Here I sit at my desk at work at 7:02 am…crying. Not a pretty site, let me say. I just read your guest column for Suzanne and now I’m going to have to get her book! And when I get home, I’ll be sure to check out your blog!
Thanks again,
Jeanne Thompson
Subject: Dear Reader column
Date: August 1, 2008 6:47:38 AM PDT
Bill, I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful column you wrote for Suzanne. God bless you for doing your hospice work. It truly takes a special person to that work and we need more people like you willing to comfort people on their final journey. Thanks.
Alice McDonnell, RN, MPA
Infection Control Practitioner
Moses Taylor Hospital
700 Quincy Ave.
Scranton, PA 18510
570-340-2952
Fax: 570-340-2163
Subject: FW: Suaanne’s book club column
Date: August 1, 2008 5:20:34 AM PDT
I had to send you a note after your column today in Suzanne’s absence.
I have to agree with the dying woman that story is something my husband would also do in fact I have a similar story on him from the week before last.
I still work full time and my job takes me out of town quite regularly. Will works part time now but has always even when he worked full time plus made sure that he picked up flowers when I was coming home from a trip… he is the guy that is always waiting at the airport with the flowers no matter the day or time he will not let me travel to or from on my own. He also gets flowers when I am coming back from a car trip as I was week before last. This had been one of those wonderful trips where I drove 5 hours on Monday to get to one of plants and was there until 9pm or beyond both Monday and Tuesday then to get leave the plant early afternoon and drive 3 hours to another location and have a meeting before completing the triangle with a 5 hour drive back home. I got home to roses on the table and a story from Will. He had gone to Target to pick up various items and decided to get the flowers there since they were a beautiful color of apricot. He then on his rounds back to the house (drug store, pet food store, drop off donation at the animal shelter etc) stoped at the library where we know all the staff. They were inundated with children (being a summer week day afternoon) and the air conditioner wasn’t keeping up. He decided to gift each of the ladies with one of the roses he had bought for my homecoming. He gave away 6 roses and knew I would not mind receiving only 6 when got home but when he got home and prepared them as he as been taught for the vase, cutting off bottom of stems and lower leaves, he found that he still had 10 roses. He checked with Target by phone and found out that they were not running a special of 16 instead of 12 but he had somehow gotten the one bunch that had an overage of roses.
The Lord moves in mysterious ways!!
Take care Pat Schmidt
Subject: Suzanne’s Dear Reader Column -
Date: August 1, 2008 7:59:35 AM PDT
Hi Bill – I enjoyed your column today and have great admiration and respect for you as you serve in the Hospice program – am sure you are a source of comfort to all – will also be checking out your friend June’s book of poems you mentioned as well as the two upcoming books – have a dog (Westie) and do love him so – am sure will enjoy her book about dogs – also the other one you mentioned which I know will appeal to my dtr. as well -
Thanks for taking the time to fill in for Suzanne while she is , hopefully, having a great vacation -
Sincerely -
Doris –
Subject: Suzanne’s Guest Writer
Date: August 1, 2008 10:23:52 AM PDT
Hi-
I enjoyed your guest column – thank you! I also went to your column website and read about your father and then saw there was Much More so I put that in my Favorites to read later today. I think that will be a good website to visit often.
Vera Keenan