Ignorant Misunderstandings

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Ignorance is a misunderstood word.  One might be called ignorant, but we somehow hear “stupid.” They are not identical twins or even distant cousins.  Ignorance does not mean a lack of intelligence, but of knowledge.  For example, what is hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia?  You don’t know?  You are not stupid, but ignorant.  You don’t have the information.

I have to remind myself that there are people around me that act unkindly or out of sorts.  My reaction might be, “What a selfish individual.”  How much do I know what that person is facing.  Perhaps they are ill, recently had some bad news, are hungry, or ate something that makes them nauseous. 

I have hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (known as HHT).  It is a genetic bleeding disorder. Over 95% of us have frequent severe nosebleeds. You would look at me and probably say, “I don’t see anything wrong.”  First of all, thank you for saying that.  There are plenty of disorders that people can see.  They get the attention.  That’s not to take away from the other ailments, it’s just a fact.  If I ask for a seat on a busy transit train, people might say, “What’s his problem?” If I were on crutches, they would understand. 

We never know what others are facing, so it’s important not to jump to judgement.  This is especially handy in traffic.  Avoiding road rage is a good thing.

Jesus was going through a tough Friday. The calendar calls it “Good Friday,” not because it was good for Jesus but because it was good for us. He took our burdens, mistakes, disorders, and imperfections on himself so we would not have to carry them around the rest of our lives. 

This was brilliantly portrayed in the movie, “Mission,” starring Robert De Niro as a priest who formerly enslaved the natives of Paraguay, but also killed his brother in a duel over a woman. I invite you to see the clip below. He carried a heavy weight in a net, up a mountain as penance.  It reminds me of what Jesus did for me while carrying his cross.  Because he took my load, I didn’t have that burden. Later, true forgiveness came amidst the wave of emotions and relief. (especially look at timestamps 146-259).

Suffering is difficult, but it can become our mentor regarding life, character, and relationship with others.

(c) Wally Johnston 2025

Dysfunctional and Blessed Thanksgiving

 

Thanksgiving is a time for families.  That can be good or difficult, depending on the situation.  When I was working as a law enforcement chaplain, I often saw families at their worst, especially during the holidays.  The Norman Rockwell painting of the family gathered around the Thanksgiving table doesn’t fit for all Americans.  We want to think it applies.  

I have been watching a series called, “The Secret History of Family,” produced by the BBC.  The episodes are based on three young women sisters who grew up in East London in the 1800’s.  It is not a nice place.  You wouldn’t want to rent a B&B there.  They live in poverty and all end up spending time in prison for their imaginative ways of making money that happen to be illegal.  

The story is a look back from the perspective of their decedents.  Some ended up well-to-do and others much dysfunction and estrangement.  It is a journey into story as one views each episode and realizes how knowing one’s story can bring understanding and healing.

My family has a long and short story in America.  My grandfather on my mother’s side, came to the U.S. in the late 1800’s.  My mother’s other side were Pilgrims who came on the Mayflower in 1620.  My father’s family came from before the American Revolution.  At least one was a Patriot who fought in the Revolution and his son in the War of 1812.  So I guess you could say they had plenty of  time to mess up!

What is your story as you gather around the table this Thanksgiving?  Mine includes estrangement, addiction, betrayal, chronic illness, along with other challenges.  It is also mixed with love, blessings, and hope.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  No gifts or expectation of gifts are needed.  It is simply time for families to gather and be thankful.  If it becomes a gripe session or political wrestling match, that isn’t being thankful.  Let’s put all of that aside and breathe a sigh of thanksgiving.

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What are you thankful for and why?  Please share with us all by clicking on the pencil icon below to reply.  We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

How Do I Say This?

 If you are a follower of this blog, you know the posts have not come out on a regular basis.  That was not my intention, however, there is something you should know.  I have some chronic health conditions that make it impossible for me to get things done in a timely fashion.  I have decided to rethink this blog.  I need to have at least 6 posts ready for publication before I start publishing again.  That will make it easier for me to handle and hopefully you will be able to depend on a weekly post.

Another goal I had was more comments from you, the readers.  I wanted it to be a place to share our stories. Your story is important and I believe others should hear it.  So please share! Just click on the pencil icon at the bottom of each post.

I would appreciate your prayers and thoughts for me.  They will be greatly needed and appreciated.  You can also drop me a line at journeyintostory@gmail.com.

In the meantime, weary traveler, enjoy this song below.

Until then,

Wally Johnston

Two Stories for the Price of One

We recently had new countertops installed. I’m kind of a do-it-your-selfer, but my wife drew the line when it came to the kitchen. “Okay dear, we’ll have someone do the work,” I said reluctantly. Since our kitchen had no sink at that time, It was convenient for my wife to say, “Where are you taking me for supper tonight?” We ended up at one of our favorite places, Buddies. When we sat down at the restaurant, I noticed Hunt’s ketchup on the table.  I always notice Hunt’s Ketsup when I see it. It all has to do with Phil. Phil was a good friend who proofread my book. He was a stickler for proper words and English. One day he noticed something out of place on Hunt’s ketchup bottle on their table (see photo). 

 The average person would not catch this, so I guess I’m an average person :) As you look at the word Hunt’s on the bottle, you see a capital “H” followed by small case letters, “unt’s.” At the time he was looking at the bottle, he saw a capital “H,” followed by a capital “U” and then a small case “nt’s.” A small case “u” has that little squiggly in the lower right of the letter. The older bottles had the “u” without the squiggly, making it a capital. Well, Phil could not let this happen, so he wrote to Hunt’s company to inform them of their fo pau. Eventually, they changed it. We have my friend, Phil, to thank for that. Now doesn’t that make you feel better?

Here is the second story. You notice the photo of me holding Hunt’s bottle. 

Now, look at the close-up of my face...go ahead, it won’t hurt too bad :) 

 Do you see that little nail sticking out from the bridge of my glasses? The glasses have little magnets that hold sunglass lenses. I had put my glasses on the top of my chest of drawers. As I picked them up to put on, I didn’t notice the nail until at the restaurant when my wife looked at me kind of funny and said, “Do you have something stuck to your glasses?” I hadn’t thought about it since I get some long eyebrow hairs hanging down. It was stuck to the magnet that holds on my sunglasses.  The first thing I did when I got home was to cut back my eyebrows!

I hope you enjoyed my two-for-one story today. Check back again. You never know what unusual things I will share. 

(C) 2023 Wally Johnston

Chasing The Wrong Thing

CHASING THE WRONG THING

Have you ever chased after something only to find out when you reached it, it was the wrong thing? It could be a job, a relationship, etc.. Well, you are not alone. All of us probably felt as if we followed the wrong “Yellow Brick Road.” Unlike Dorothy, when we got to the Wizard of Oz he didn’t help us AT ALL. Today’s story is kind of like that.

One time we were visiting my sister. It was a hot summer day in California and my Dad saw an ice cream van go by. My Dad loved ice cream (I admit, I do too). So he yelled for the van to stop, but it kept going. So here is this old man chasing down this ice cream truck in traffic. Finally, it halted at a red light. Dad came up huffing and puffing trying to get his breath to give his order. He looked up and saw this on the side of the van: Florist. The driver quickly rolled up his window and took off. Wouldn't you? We could hardly contain ourselves but we had to. My dad came back red-faced and we couldn’t tell if it was from the heat or embarrassment!

The moral of the story is, “Be sure to read before you run.” :)

Have a good week and remember...

There are two kinds of people in the world, those who like Dr. Pepper and those who don’t.