WHAT KIND OF JEW PULLS A TRIGGER? -- part 4

"Happiness is for idiots" was my family's mantra, injected into our DNA, remorselessly hammered home. "Only idiots are happy" was a minor variation. For most of my life I've believed that suffering was necessary to produce anything of value, artistic as well as religious: the artist in his garret;the saint on her cross. Pollyanna-itis was a three spit plague to be fended off by any sacrifice, particularly and primarily, the sacrifice of personal happiness. Well, I gotta tell ya, at this late stage of my life I actually find myself happy! Of course, I'm wary of cliches, but my heart actually feels full,a physical feeling like there is something big and good right there inside my rib cage. Whoa. Where'd that come from? I hear snickers, probably from my Ivy League buddies, and I don't blame them. I ask myself, "You sure you're not coming down with dementia?", and the answer comes back, "If this is dementia, bring it on." It's not that I'm unaware of the dark side. This FOREMAN FAMILY vs BANK OF AMERICA business is a bonafide nightmare which is far from over. It engenders anger and fear in equal parts. At one time in my life anger would have taken over. I would have been possessed by it. I'd have gladly taken Brian Moynihan, CEO of BOA, apart. I am angry, angry because I have to be so angry, angry because I've been so bewildered, angry because my wife of thirty-two years, Jamie Donnelly, has to wake up each morning and have her first thought be, "Will I lose my home?", angry because my children feel the stress and uncertainty, too. However, anger is not all there is. Jamie Donnelly taught me that one. Jan, the smiling, good-natured, "brusha brusha" Pink Lady she played in the movie, "Grease", really is true Jamie.

Nu? So what else is there?

Last night the moon was as full as it's ever going to be in 2012. The sky was clear, so bright moonshine turned the river water to pewter and created shadows that jumped in the breeze. A grouse drummed in the woods the other day, the sound a pilgrim most likes to hear in Spring because it means the cycle has brought the partridge back. Outside my back window the lawn is covered with dandelions, violets, and apple blossoms. Dandelions make me happy:little suns. I don't mind seeing them at all. Outside the window I look out when I'm at my desk the lilacs are leafing, and birds by the dozens land on their branches. A red hawk once landed on a limb near the ground. There he was! Preening. I've seen bear, deer, coyote, mink, woodchuck, chipmunks, squirrels, and wild turkey through that window, too, all spotted while sitting at my desk. They don't know I'm there so they go by slowly. How often do you get to see that outside your window? I've looked out my window and seen my children playing and ,Jamie, giving friends the tour. Those three people remain my treasures. We are alive and healthy, and we will go through this together. Friends are more dear to me than ever. Bank of America is not solely the first thing I think of in the morning when I wake up. The first thing I think of is a cup of hot, strong coffee laced with chocolate syrup (just a little, and, oh, yeah, some sugar, just a little of that, too) The thought is accompanied by a smile. A few minutes with my coffee cup then watch out. I'd still like to take Moynihan apart. My family will still do everything in our power to save our home. When and if I have to be unhappy I'm sure I will be, but not until then.

Right now outside my window there is an oak leaf on the ground, brown and crusty from the Fall. Most of the oak around here was lumbered off years ago, so a mature oak is rare and never this far down the mountain. But, oak is coming back. There are lots of saplings, and in another twenty years they will be mighty. Been a long time since I've seen an oak leaf and never close to the house. It must have been traveling down hill since Fall. It bodes well for the future, and stiffens my resolve. I'm determined to stand at my window and watch those trees grow.

I can't finish without a brief update. New point person at Bank of America: Julio Esparza. (O) (213) 345-6243
(FAX) (866) 882-0975
Mr. Esparza is our ear at B of A. He's the one who now needs to hear from you. Use of social media has gotten their attention. My nephew's twitter campaign is paying off. B of A does not want bad press, but these days there's plenty of it. Wow, is that bank hated! The two petition links are below:

www.change.org/petitions/the-foreman-family-vs-bank-of-america

http://www.change.org/petitions/bank-of-america-live-up-to-your-promise-and-help-my-uncle-keep-his-home

Pass them on.