Holiday Empty Chairs

On December 16, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn Hattie Banks, Hattie Finney Banks, Helen Garcia, Helen James, Helen Palmer Garcia, Holiday Empty Chairs, Mable Elizabeth Palmer, Mable Palmer, Thelma Palmer Varner, Uncategorized34 Comments

Their places at the Thanksgiving and Christmas tables have been empty in some cases for many years. Some say you have memories but you cannot speak with a memory and you cannot hug a memory. The tears last forever.

For the ones for which I have no photos I pour Libation and speak your name that your memory may never be forgotten. Wounds that will never heal. Tears that flow like a river into seas and oceans far from the distant shore. Ase.

Delbert Callahan, Gladys Young, Linda James, Clarence and Mamie Finney and the list goes on of family and friends most taken from this earth way too soon meaning except for two all died in their 50s and 60s. Every year that I get older the more people my age who pass away. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll be next and in what circumstances I will leave this earth.

Bernadine I still miss you so much. I carry your prayer card in my uniform every day. I still miss your smiling face and your laughter. However I know as much sorrow is in my heart your daughter and two sisters are hurting more than me and this year there will be no Christmas for your Loved ones.

Empty Chairs. Sorrow-filled hearts. Even though my parents have been gone close to twenty years I’ve never completely gotten over their loss and probably I never will. I still feel that ache Thanksgiving, Christmas and especially on Mother’s and Father’s Day which I don’t celebrate. When my parents passed away and I had to go through all their belongings and sort out things in their home one of the things I made sure went into the garbage was the Christmas tree and all the ornaments, even the ones dating back to the 50s and 60s because what sense would it make to have kept those things when the people who gave them meaning are gone? Of course now my space is the size of a postage stamp so I’m glad I tossed that Holiday junk. Since I never married nor had children it made no sense to carry on any type of holiday traditions. I make sure my brother Stephen has gifts and we go out on the town but I stopped decorating and sending Christmas cards long ago.

Fortunately this year I will be working on Christmas day and I am happy for the welcome distraction. My job will help me take my mind off what is a depressing holiday for me.

Mom & Dad

My Dad Edward G. Palmer

Mom Mable Palmer

Mable Elizabeth Palmer ~~ My Mom

Eva Sophronia Gordon Palmer -- Grandmother

My Grandfather William J. Palmer with some of his children in Mt. Morris aka Marcus Garvey Park

My Maternal Grandmother Hattie Finney Banks

Share Your World – 2016 Week 50

On December 13, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn Mable Elizabeth Palmer, Mable Palmer, Share Your World – 2016 Week 50, Stephen, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Sylvester, SYW, Uncategorized15 Comments

https://ceenphotography.com/2016/12/12/share-your-world-2016-week-50/#like-21197

Share Your World – 2016 Week 50

What is your favorite smell? What memory does it remind you of?

Roses. My Mom Mable Elizabeth Palmer.

mable-elizabeth-palmer-circa-1950s — Mom Mable Palmer

What type of pet do you have or want to have?

My Cat Sylvester. One day I wish I could have a cottage in the woods yet near the city where I could have even more cats maybe 3 or 4 kitties.

Sylvester

Sylvester in my old Laundry Bag

Sylvester on Rumpled Bed

Are you usually late, early, or right on time?

Early. Thank you Uncle Sam United States Army!!

For recharging, would you rather meditate, swim, walk, listen to music, write, read, yoga, qigong other?

SLEEP!!! However if I can’t get my naps in Soulful Struts where I walk and take photos, listening to music, writing and read are also good.

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

That everything is continuing to go very well on my new work position. My job has now actually become enjoyable! I’m also Thankful that God has met ALL My needs, My Bills are paid and I was able to buy some gifts for my brother Stephen.

Looking forward to next week because I have some time off coming to me and I will be able to spend time with my Awesome Autism Guy Stephen Palmer!! Stephen’s Group Home is having a Holiday Party this coming Saturday which I will try to be there, God Willing!!

Rest in Peace John Glenn

On December 9, 2016December 9, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn American Hero, Astronaut, Edward G. Palmer, Edward Gordon Palmer, Edward Palmer, John and Annie Glenn, John Glenn, Mable Elizabeth Palmer, Mable Palmer, Ohio, Uncategorized

One thing that stood out to me in John Glenn’s obituary other than his NASA career was that he and his wife were married for 73 years!! Outstanding!! That is what I call a True Love bond! Wow!!

Another aspect of John and Anna Glenn relationship was that I admired that his wife whom he affectionately called Annie stammered for many years yet he called her “His Girl” and the rock of their relationship and family life. John Glenn did not care that Annie stammered. Her disability had no bearing on his Love for her. He accepted her as is. Later through intensive therapy Annie Glenn did conquer her stammering along with support and encouragement from her Beloved husband.

Now a days it’s all about hook-ups and booty calls. A Woman has to look like a movie star actress, model with a perfect shape, flawless skin, hair and nails plus Never age. Then we wonder why our relationships don’t last. I’m not saying let yourself go downhill. Yes take care of yourself but marriage and any long term romantic relationship is more than a roll in the hay. What you’re looking for. What we are designed for as human beings cannot be found on Tinder, Grinder or any online dating website, your local bar, disco or club. Nor should you just treat your House of Worship as a social club. The Singles Ministry is supposed to be there to help you create a well rounded Life as a Single person not to just scout for Mr. or Ms. Right. It’s a good thing if you do meet your future spouse at church but God should be first.

Keep in mind that sooner or later you’ll have to get of out the bed and deal with that person as an individual not a sex object or somebody you can misuse, abuse then toss aside. What you do to others will come back to haunt you.

O’ for a Man. A Real Man! A True Man! Who will Love you with all your faults, flaws and Aging Body!! They just don’t make’em like that anymore! More than just Lovers but True Life Partners!!

Proud to say my Dad Edward G. Palmer was such a Man. Forty Years together on earth and Now an Eternity together in Heaven!!

Yes I admire John and Annie Glenn because they both have the Right Stuff! R.I.P. ~~ John Glenn.

Godspeed Mr. Glenn!! Now exploring Limitless Heavens!!

Rosemary, The Hidden Kennedy Daughter

On October 18, 2016October 18, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn DeBorah, DeBorah Ann Palmer, Edward G. Palmer, Edward Gordon Palmer, Edward Palmer, Mable Elizabeth Palmer, Mable Palmer, Rose and Joe Kennedy, Rosemary Kennedy, Rosemary, The Hidden Kennedy Daughter, Stephen, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Uncategorized16 Comments

An extremely moving talk about Rosemary Kennedy. Please see the entire video at the bottom of this post. For whatever we think of the Kennedy’s especially Joe Kennedy I found myself listening to this talk from the perspective of parents with an intellectually/developmentally disabled child. Despite all their resources and riches the techniques, programs, services and medical care that is available today was not there in the 1920s/1930s.

In some parts of the film relate to the mother Rose Kennedy via my mother Mable Palmer. I can clearly imagine the frustration of placing your child in school after school waiting for the miracle result that never manifests even with all your wealth, power and influence. Like the Kennedy’s our parents always impressed upon me that we must stick together. “Blood is thicker than water.” As you know from previous posts I am very protective of my brother Stephen. I also know and remember the stigma, shame and guilt my mother Mable Palmer went through in the 1960s/70s so it must have been even worse in the 1920s/30s.

Initially Stephen screamed. All. The. Time. I don’t know how my mother managed. Dad went to work every day so he got a break. After a time Stephen stopped screaming and eventually did speak but to this day he cannot carry on a conversation though he will listen to the other people around him and respond if questioned.

However my parents drew the line at any type of medical experimentation. Plus being working class obviously our parents especially our Mom were much more hands on. Daddy did take us out on the weekends so Mommy could get a break. They refused to institutionalize Stephen.

However having said that I cannot pass judgments on Joe and Rose Kennedy having Rosemary lobotomized. At that time a lobotomy was considered a cure for various types of mental illness. I would guess they were at their wits end given Rosemary’s behavior. Sadly Rosemary Kennedy came out of the surgery totally disabled. She was the sacrificial lamb. Not a Happy Ending. At that point in the documentary I wanted to cry.

I’m very glad that my parents did not put Stephen away into an institution. I’m grateful that Stephen and I grew up together. I remember back in 1989 when Stephen was placed into his current Group Home. Even though I was the one who worked to get him placed into a facility because my parents were becoming ill and could no longer care for Stephen, I cried the first night I came home from work and Stephen was not there running down the stairs to greet me.

Thanks to Eunice Kennedy Stephen did participate for many years in the local Special Olympics held at St. John’s University in Queens, New York.

Thank you to all the Kennedys’ who after witnessing this horrible event happen to their beloved sister worked to make things better for intellectually/developmentally disabled people today. No matter what side of the political fence you’re on without the hard work and tenacity of the Kennedy siblings we would still be in the Dark Ages of institutionalized warehousing.

See Willowbrook State School: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willowbrook_State_School

Thank you Rosemary Kennedy for being a transformation for good! God Bless you for now you reside in your Heavenly home well, happy, healthy and free!!

Thank you Lord God Jehovah for my brother Stephen Vincent Palmer. For all the progress he made in spite of the negative reports from those doctors back in 1963 when he was two years old. God knew better because Stephen is one of His special children. Thanks to our parents who believed that Stephen could learn, who treated him just like any other child, gave him chores to do up to and including his abilities and disciplined him teaching him right from wrong so that today Stephen is a contributing member of society. He is more than my sibling. He is my companion. My friend. My life long partner and I would never trade or ask the Heavens for a so-called “normal” sibling when I have the most perfect brother in the world!!

I Love You Stephen Vincent Palmer!!

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Rosemary, The Hidden Kennedy Daughter

Old Tyme Family Photos

On October 3, 2016October 3, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn Edward G. Palmer, Edward Gordon Palmer, Edward Palmer, Eva Gordon Palmer, Eva Sophronia Gordon Palmer, Eva Sophronia Gordon Palmer -- Grandmother, Mable Elizabeth Palmer, Mable Palmer, Old Tyme Family Photos, Thelma Palmer Varner, Uncategorized, William Henry Halstead, William J. Palmer, William Junius Palmer, William Palmer19 Comments

William Henry Halstead Tombstone — William Henry Halstead Headstone ~ Sleepy Hollow

These are some some Old Tyme Family Photos mostly from my Dad’s side of the family some of which date back to just after the Civil War. The photos cover both the 19th and 20th Centuries.