Floyd Schuler is a Special Person

by Bill Tolone

“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ who is your life appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:3-4)

           Floyd Schuler is a special person who came on Wednesdays and Fridays to Clare House for food.  But, while he stood in line, he gave to others much more than he received.  Floyd passed away in January of this year due to a massive stroke.  Assuming that you knew his name, all that anyone would know about his passing is a small listing in the Funerals Pending section of the Pantagraph.  No obituary.

          I came to know Floyd over the past 2-3 years as one of the most upbeat, optimistic, cheerful and supportive persons imaginable.  He truly "connected" with people in such a friendly way.  He would ask where his friend, Mike, was if he couldn't see him in line.  He had a special friend, Mary, who he encouraged to take books from me.  I learned that Mary would read these books to Floyd.  One day, I saw Floyd sitting on the concrete stairs in front of Clare House with a harmonica.  I asked Floyd if he played and he modestly said that he did, or at least he did in the past.  A few minutes later, I heard harmonica music and I knew that Floyd was sharing one of his gifts with us.

          Floyd was so proud to wear his Cubs hat and jacket.  We talked about baseball a lot and he was so optimistic that this and every year would be the "Cubs year."  I told him I was from the south side of Chicago, so he immediately knew I was a fan of the "other team."  But, this didn't affect our conversations in any way, except to make them more fun and enjoyable.

I know that others in line at Clare House were saddened to hear of Floyd's passing.  They remember him as a nice man, a very good man.  One person said she called him "Grampa." 

          With Easter, we are aware of Jesus' Resurrection and His promise of resurrection for all of us.  Now that Floyd has passed, he has experienced his resurrection, as Jesus promised.  You can be sure that Floyd's memory is encouraging others to keep the faith.  That, no matter how tough life can be, there is hope.  Floyd would be the first to remind us of this.   

I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO CONTRIBUTE

By Trish Tilton

Clare House Volunteer for almost 14 years.

I don’t have money to contribute.  I am not talented in any particular way.  I am only a small drop in the ocean of life.  I do have some time and effort I can contribute. 

So I come to Clare House on Wednesday nights to help the crew bag groceries.  I do not see the faces of those who benefit from my efforts, but still I feel the gratification of the small contribution I can make to the cause.  I could be in the line myself one day, you never know.  Life changes so quickly.  We are not in control.

We are all connected.  We are all one.  We are all part of the same energy. 

“I am only one,

But still I am one.

I cannot do everything,

But still I can do something.

I will not refuse to do the something

I can do.”  Helen Keller

5 Cardinal Rules for Life

1. Make peace with your past, so it won’t disturb your present.

2. What other people think of you is none of your business

3. Time heals almost everything.  Give it time.

4. No one is in charge of your happiness, except you.

5. Don’t compare your life to others and don’t judge them.  You have no idea what their journey is all about.

NOMINATE FOR A PEACE PRIZE

By Madeleine Callahan

I nominate

the woman whose beloved husband died

and so she put on her shoes

every Wednesday

to hand out bags of food

in honor of their love.

She cried for eight weeks

in that narrow stairwell

while we chatted about the extras

we were throwing into the bags.

I nominate the moment

when her one bag ripped open,

chaos of peas, pumpkin,

fruit salad and tea bags

slipping down the steps –

that moment cured part of her distress

as we laughed till we couldn’t breathe.

A certain peace colored her lips and cheeks.

Her back was no longer curled in.

I nominate all volunteers

who struggle faithfully

through loss because

of their existential pursuit of peace.

Founders Grove Neighborhood Association’s 4th of July Clare House Collection

Contributed by Terri Jordan Lantz

Every contribution can make a difference!  Here’s what the Founders Grove Neighborhood Association decided to do to include a food drive as part of their 4^th of July Parade. 

Thanks to Todd Trainor, FGNA President, Mike Schulz, who hosted after parade brunch and Bob Dawson who gets out the mass emails and FaceBook announcements.  They jumped right on board and helped spread the word.

We started about a week before getting word out.  We asked residents to donate non-perishable food items during the parade.  We pulled a wagon for collection.  If they couldn't attend parade, the Schulz' were kind enough to let me set up a donation box at their home during our brunch which follows parade.

Also, we informed residents that they could drop off items at my house through the 5th of July.  Items continues to come in still yesterday, the 6th.

It was unanimous at the brunch that FGNA wants to continue this tradition every year on the 4th!

I am so proud of my neighborhood for their generosity.