Way to go, Joan!
    E
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joan E Snyder" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2004 7:36 PM
Subject: blessings never expected...


> You never know when or where life will lead you and tonight, I just had
> something wonderful happen to me that teaches me a grand lesson about
> "seize the moment."
>
> I was feeling all lonely and depressed: all of my dearest "parkie"
> friends were in Kentucky at Winks' house for the gala marriage of
>
> AJ & Greg. My son has spent the last two weeks in Puerto Rico and heck,
> yesterday morning, even my mom & my sisters flew to Florida to meet up
> with Mitch and attend a family reunion. So, I was feeling neglected,
> dejected and rejected.
>
> I did however have tickets to the baseball game tonight from my good
> friend Jane at IPMR (Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
> This was her big fundraiser and since part of the money that we make
> from Shake, Rattle & Roll goes to IPMR, I felt that we should go. Stan &
> I got ready (one of us more eagerly than the other) and the first thing
> I did when I got out of the jeep was to step on uneven ground and fall
> flat on my ass-off to a great start, I was sure.
>
> Anyway, the fundraiser was entitled 'Legend at the Ballpark' and the
> guest of honor was the legendary Lou Brock. OK, think I, maybe this
> might be kinda cook anyway. Our free tickets were great-they got us good
> seats and free dinner and complimentary beverages (beer is a must for me
> at a ballpark!!...but Stan drank sodas) but we were right in the wrong
> place to see Lou Brock so I somewhat faded on his speech until I heard
> him mention Sandy Kofax-who was my all-time favorite pitcher in the
> world and it occurred to me that this very well was living history! And
> this guy knew them all-I just sat and became lost in my own "Field of
> Dreams." After his talk, he was whisked right by me out onto the playing
> field to throw out the honorary first pitch-but first they needed the
> game ball. It was delivered by a parachutist who was a double
> amputee-Dana Bowman!!! Needless to say, it was a breathtaking experience
> to see this man float down to land just inches away from the pitcher's
> mound. OK-I'm impressed.
>
>  My friend and personal photographer, Craig Kendall was also at the game
> and when he came looking for 'the girl in the wheelchair,' he found us
> and he had his camera.
>
> Soon, Craig was taking pictures of Stan & I with Pete Vanochen- Harry
> Carey's drinking buddy and ole Harry could never tell a drinking story
> without mentioning Pete's name during those long ago days when he
> announced for the Chicago Cubs. I had two  copies of my book "Voices
> from the Parking Lot-parkinson's insights & perspectives" and so I gave
> one to Pete. Then they wheeled me over to the long line that snaked
> along the 3rd base side of the stadium to get a picture of me & Mr.
> Brock. I was sitting there patiently looking at a myriad of butts (good
> & bad-but hey-that's my viewpoint) when suddenly a friend from IPMR came
> and said that this would take too long and she pushed me right up to the
> front of the line!!! Lou Brock was & is larger than life and as he shook
> my hand and accepted a copy of the book, I heard my friend tell him
> about the money that I had helped to raise for a "gait-analysis" carpet
> for IPMR. I wasn't prepared (everything had happened in such a rush!!)
> and all I could do was smile and look at that huge athlete-still at 65
> years of age while Craig shot pictures. As I asked for an autograph, I
> was suddenly being propelled backwards and found myself face to face
> with the most incredible man that I have ever met...Dana Bowman. Dana
> was a Special Forces soldier and a member of the US Army's elite
> parachuting team-The Golden Knights. In 1994, a mid-air collision with
> another jumper during a special tandem jump turned horrific and Dana
> lost both of his legs; his teammate was killed as they hit each other at
> 300 mph. He no travels, inspiring people and speaking with his motto:
> "It's not the disability-It's the ability-Never quit."
>
> When I noticed his jumpsuit with prophetess sticking out where there
> should be legs, I knew him. We spoke for along time, we connected
> somehow and made a lot of plans. He knows about Shake, Rattle & Roll and
> wants to jump in for it next year and he is expecting a book in the mail
> and we exchanged emails, addresses and phone numbers. Before he had to
> turn to his clamoring fans, he signed a card for me that says:
> "Joan-this just shows you that some of us never quit. Dana."
>
> I must say that something inside me told me that this guy is the real
> deal-the whole enchilada-the big kahuna. I immediately sensed that we
> will become great friends and that we will work together. I just know it
> to be true. I cried and I know that he knows this, too.
>
> So begins another of my wonderful friendships with people who inspire
> and teach me and help me to remember to always "seize the moment."
>
> --
> Joan E. Blessington Snyder       51/13
> http://www.pwnkle.com/jes/jes_web/index.htm
> <[log in to unmask]>
> "Hang tough...........no way through it but to do it."
> Chris-in-the-Morning   (Northern Exposure)
>
>
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