Celebrate Every Day...and Every One

 My previous post was about a man named Jackie Conner who was celebrated by my (and his) hometown recently. You can read that post to get the whole story. What I learned today is that Jackie passed away yesterday

He had been celebrated just a little over three weeks ago with a parade and a lot of fanfare. He was shown the love and gratitude of family and friends and strangers, although no one was a stranger to Jackie once he met them.

We can put off telling or showing others how special they are and what they mean to us. We think there is always tomorrow. But tomorrow is not guaranteed. How wonderful that people rallied to celebrate Jackie's life while he was still here to enjoy the party.

The lesson in all of this: Celebrate life every day. Celebrate others...every one...every day. You don't have to throw a big parade with miles of fire trucks and a marching band--though that was what Jackie loved the most. If you just do what Jackie did best--welcome the stranger, let family members and friends know they're appreciated, and most of all show up.

Godspeed, Jackie. I can only imagine the parade that welcomed you into the next life. Fly with the angels.

The True Meaning of Community and Hometown Heroes

My hometown of Brownsville, PA has always been alive and well in my heart and my memories. Years and hard times, however, have brought about change and challenge and left the little river town struggling. Yet it survives. To say it's thriving would be a stretch, but where there is life there is hope.

The hope of any community resides in the spirit of the people. That was never more evident to me than it was today. The entire town, along with surrounding communities, turned out to celebrate Jackie Conner Day. You're no doubt wondering, "Okay, who is Jackie Conner?" Having only met Jackie once, I won't pretend to know him. I can say that one meeting made an indelible impression on me. We were introduced, and Jackie offered me the brightest, most genuine smile I've ever seen.

When I became aware of the town's plans to celebrate Jackie Conner Day, I asked a few residents about Jackie. What makes him special so that he deserves a day in his honor? After all, he isn't a politician or a sports celebrity. What I learned was that Jackie, who is special needs, is a man who loves. He loves his family and friends, and he loves his hometown. And he acts on that love, always showing up to be of help for projects and events to improve the town in any way. I learned that Jackie has a perpetual smile on his face when he greets anyone--friend or stranger. I learned that Jackie can always be counted on to show up. I also sadly learned that Jackie is dealing with terminal illness, and his one wish was to have a big parade through town.

So, what did the people of Brownsville do? Well, they declared today Jackie Conner Day. And what a parade there was. Jackie, with his ever-present smile, served as Grand Marshal. He humbly accepted the love and well-wishes of all who came out to celebrate him.

Jackie brings out the best in people. That is obvious from the turnout of people who came to celebrate him--a simple man who does what he does without fanfare, who lives his life out of love for people and for his hometown.

Knowing more of Jackie's story has restored my hope for Brownsville. Seeing the way my hometown stepped up to celebrate Jackie in his lifetime has restored my faith in humanity. I am so proud to say that Brownsville, PA is my hometown.

Jackie is truly a special man who brought a community together by simply being himself--fully and simply and without guile or pretense. In a world often jaded by greed and harsh judgments and hate--be a Jackie. 

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Linda Rettstatt,

Author of these hometown novels: