We are impressed by Americans
throughout the nation and would like to share a story about a friend
of ours that refuses to be defeated by adversity in her life.
Our friend, Joann, was forced into
retirement after having health problems that left her disabled. In a
personal way, my meeting Joann at a neighborhood get-together has
always stuck me as odd.
I hadn't lived in my neighborhood very
long when I met Joann. I asked her where she was employed and she responded with the name of the hospital where both of my parents had
had their heart surgeries. Her answer took my breath away and I was
hit hard by a wave of remembrances. That period of time in my life
was nothing other than crazy and was a learning experience for myself
and my toddlers. I will never forget telling the children to be
especially careful or they would get run over by the hospital staff
because the nurses and technicians had the important work of saving
lives and come to find out Joann had been one of those people.
Though the conversation was a rush of emotion for me, to Joann it was
all in a days work!
Things suddenly changed for Joann when
she needed to retire. Stupid health problems. Joann took control,
followed doctor's orders and worked to become as healthy as possible.
Time passed and she then had to take the advice she had given to others
just a few years ago; she looked for positive ways she could
influence her situation. Rather than have idle hands, Joann decided
to make jewelry. During a visit last week she showed me some of the jewelry she had created. It is beautiful! Her hand
crafted jewelry is unique and it is certainly above and beyond
anything you find in the retail stores.
Now, Joann puts her capable hands to
work for a fun purpose and I am proud to invite you to visit Joann's new online shop.
We are all sure that you'll be pleased to have the opportunity to
see the beautiful pieces of jewelry she has created and we are
especially honored to know a great American that has allowed
adversity to be a teacher but not the boss.
