Posts
Two people in this world call me Nana. Four call me Mom, Mother or Mama, depending on the day. Most just call me Joanne. You may call me Joanne. I am not fussy...just don't call me late to dinner, as the old joke goes! I was never fond of my name until recently when I figured out that, within "Joanne", there are vestiges/derivatives of several saints' names: St. Joachim, the father of Mary; St. Anne, the mother of Mary; St. Joan of Arc, St. Joseph...All in all, a very noteworthy part of the list of the who's who in the heavenly realm! And, trust me, I call upon them often to pray for me and to advocate for my work.
I hope you will enjoy my musings. Actually, I hope to impart thought-provoking words or words that tickle your funny bone, with a grain of poignancy thrown in at times. I will now officially begin...
I am the director of a very busy pro-life pregnancy resource center. I've done this work for 12 years. When I first started, I entered the center each day, armed with a list of things to do that day. I soon learned it was fruitless to have a list because none of the things ever got done and I'd walk out of the center, clutching my undone list and throw it in the garbage can outside our door. I concluded that the only way to approach this work was with a servant attitude, ready to react to our clients and their needs, for they were many (both clients and their needs!). Paper work and administrative things could wait. People come first. And, over the years, I have learned much, much more!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Thanks for your service. You are a stand and a commitment to women and men working together to love children in to the world. This is true choice and real health. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine reminded me that there are even MORE saints' names in mine: "Don't overlook John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, John Chrysostom, John Vianney, John of Capistrano, Juan Diego, John Leonardi, John Damascene........................" I am very blessed to have so many patron saints!
ReplyDeleteJoanne, you are such an inspiration to work with. You are an angel for so many people.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I decided to volunteer at the LCCE was because I could have been an abortion. My father wanted my mother to have an abortion. Thankfully, she did not. She now tells me that I am the best blessing she could have ever asked for. I appreciate life with an optimistic and faith-filled zeal. Everyone has the power to become something great if given the opportunity.
And, Joanne, anyone would be lucky to be able to call you mom or grandma :)
Patrice, I just now saw your comment. Thank you so much for your words. I love that I know you and now even more so, knowing that you might not have been allowed to live. Thinking about how the world might never have known you and your gifts and talents makes me cry. Your mother was very brave!
ReplyDelete