Johnny Appleseed Swept On

…Johnny Appleseed swept on,
Every shackle gone,
Loving every sloshy brake,
Loving every skunk and snake,
Loving every leathery weed,
Johnny Appleseed, Johnny Appleseed

“The picture of a raggedy man with a pot on his head walking barefoot as he scattered seeds may first spring to mind at the mention of Johnny Appleseed. Yet Johnny Appleseed is also remembered for his gentle nature and generous spirit.” http://www.appleappetite.com/Johnny.htm

Hello from Massachusetts! There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of ‘famous people’ from this great state as it is the oldest – so I chose Johnny Appleseed to highlight instead of trying to choose among the known famous. It was a choice between Johnny and Dr. Seuss who I also love!

• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/massachusetts
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts

State ranking in planning for homeless children is #8 – a good number to have. Massachusetts puts much time and energy into extensive planning… http://www.homelesschildrenamerica.org/pdf/report_cards/short/ma_short.pdf

The Salvation Army’s Our Place daycare center at 402 Mass. Ave. is one of two places in the state where homeless people can bring their infants and toddlers during the day.

“When I’m running, the thing I think of is that I have two little girls,” he said. “I realize it must be difficult for a father who looks at his kids and thinks, ‘I just want to give them a home. I want to live in a community.’ That’s what drives me when I’m starting to feel some pain, starting to get tired. That’s what keeps me going.”

Housing Families
• Boston, MA

Most of my peers in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s had Frank Sinatra on their walls – I had Johnny Ray and Ted Williams.

I talked to two people of note in recent days. One of them was a shop manager called Paul who took care of a store on one of the wharfs in Newport. I feel terrible as he was willing to have his picture in the blog as well as that of his store – he was happy too. I really messed up on taking the pictures, but I do remember his words. He cared about homeless kids but went on to say that he has a son and over the years he has gone the extra mile for many young teens and men his son’s age. He has in a sense been a ‘father to many’ – his words. Stories like Paul’s encourage me as that is truly what a child needs – someone there for him or for her. Generosity of spirit has such a beautiful outcome in so many lives.

The other man I met was here in Brockton, MA. Jarvis is an older man in his late 60s who is working 15 hours a day as he needs the money. He said he does this six days a week. He is from Haiti. Almost his whole salary goes back to his country as his family lost everything and our barely surviving. He is doing his all – I do worry about Jarvis’ health. Jarvis is a happy person as he works.

In the news yesterday: “…it is clear that happiness plays an important role in influencing whether people give. The findings suggest a positive cycle where one person gives to charity, the charity improves the happiness of the individuals they support and they in turn are more likely to give.”

Tagged as: Brockton, Massachusetts, Pictures, State Reports, Statistics