Hugs From Heaven
by Charlotte Anselmo
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Random acts of kindness....
Observer & Eccentric Newspapers
Care of the South Lyon Herald Newspaper
By Diane Gale Andreassi
CORRESPONDENT
Linda Powell is overwhelmed by the random acts of kindness she's experienced since her son, Josh, died from an accidental overdose last summer.
She wants to return the favors by doing unexpected nice things for others — people she has never met and people who will never know who she is. Steven Bell, Josh's friend, suggested a Random Acts of Kindness fund that would mimic things that Josh was famous for doing.
“If this helps other people he didn't die in vain,” she said. “It's really hard, because you keep things tight inside, but I don't want to be selfish and not help other people. We're still learning how to cope. It's not like I'm trying to make him a hero. He wasn't a hero, but he was our hero, because he was a good, kind man, but he had his demons.”
Bell, a Michigan State University law student, started making jewelry from guitar picks, representing Josh's love for playing, and the money raised goes to the Random Act of Kindness fund. Each pick is etched with a memorial, “Josh Powell, Live in Heaven, July 21, 2010,” the day he died.
“He was extremely talented and we were always asking him why he wasn't in a band and doing something with his music,” Bell said.
Josh was also remembered at his funeral services, which was packed with people, many of whom told Linda stories about the things Josh had done — stories Josh never shared with his family.
“It brought a joy to me that he was cared about by so many people,” she added. “My son wasn't a rich man, but he was a good person and never judged people. So many people told me how he touched their lives.”
After his death, Linda said, countless people have reached out to help her family.
One of those people was a man whose son died from a drug overdose and now he gives anti-drug talks at local schools. Linda said she would also like to speak to school groups about the devastation that drugs cause, but she feels she needs time to heal herself and her two other children, Joe, 19 and Marcia, 24.
Another kind stranger surfaced when Linda went to South Lyon Watch and Jewelry Repair to buy a chain for the pick Bell gave her. The unidentified man behind the counter gave Linda the chain.
“Here's someone who didn't know me and he was so touched — it was a random act of kindness,” Linda said. “He didn't have to do that. He could have sold me a necklace. He took the time to stop and that's what it's all about. Instead of all the sadness, hopefully we can do the same for someone who needs us.”
The South Lyon Hotel has done so much too, she added, including selling the guitar pick jewelry.
Bell has been another incredible source of comfort, constantly doing kind things, like remembering Linda's birthday with a maple tree that will stand as a reminder of Josh.
Josh and Bell met playing community education basketball and going on to attend South Lyon middle and high schools together where they wrestled and played football.
“It was kind of always a joke, because we were two chubby kids who probably shouldn't have been on the basketball court,” Bell said.
Josh grew up in South Lyon and worked with his father in construction. But his passion was music.
“He was very humble,” Linda said regarding a piece Josh composed, which a friend played at the funeral. “We never knew about that. How thankful I am for people who loved him, because I don't want him to ever be forgotten. You should see all the hits he gets on the blog. I can't tell you the joy I get from that.”
Josh's memorial fund will “definitely be geared to help make drug treatment affordable,” Bell said. “If we can get someone the help they need so something like this doesn't happen that would be ideal. But it doesn't necessarily have to be for someone with a drug problem, maybe it would be for someone to go to college.”
Josh was extremely kind hearted, Bell said.
“He was a little rough around the edges, but when you knew him he was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it,” Bell said. “He would lend you $20 even if he needed the money. He always wanted to shoulder other people's burdens, but he's the first guy who would not want anyone to help him. The idea was to kind of further what Josh did himself and help people who need help.”
“He made some poor choices and some bad decisions,” Bell said. “He paid dearly for them. I don't want that to be his defining thing.”
Linda said sometimes she gets angry and asks herself, ‘Why?'
“Even in death I feel I have to protect him,” she said. “I can't say enough about family, friends and the community. We couldn't have gone through this without them and I want to do the same.”
Josh's aunt, JoBeth Stanfill, made a blog, http://www.joshuawaltonpowell.blogspot.com/, where people can see images of Josh, the jewelry and other memorials. Donations to the fund can also be made on the blog. Linda and Bell are working on getting a non-profit status for the Random Act of Kindness fund and Linda wants to develop a committee to decide who gets the money.
“We want to do this right, because if people give money, they should know how it's being spent,” she added.
The guitar pick jewelry, available in bracelets, necklaces and key chains, are available for $10 at the South Lyon Hotel; by emailing Bell at joshpowellpicks@gmail.com; by going to the website, http://www.joshuawaltonpowell.blogspot.com/ or from Bell.
Donations are also being accepted on the blog.
Care of the South Lyon Herald Newspaper
 |
| The guitar pick jewelry, available in bracelets, necklaces and key chains, are available for $10 at the South Lyon Hotel |
By Diane Gale Andreassi
CORRESPONDENT
Linda Powell is overwhelmed by the random acts of kindness she's experienced since her son, Josh, died from an accidental overdose last summer.
She wants to return the favors by doing unexpected nice things for others — people she has never met and people who will never know who she is. Steven Bell, Josh's friend, suggested a Random Acts of Kindness fund that would mimic things that Josh was famous for doing.
“If this helps other people he didn't die in vain,” she said. “It's really hard, because you keep things tight inside, but I don't want to be selfish and not help other people. We're still learning how to cope. It's not like I'm trying to make him a hero. He wasn't a hero, but he was our hero, because he was a good, kind man, but he had his demons.”
Bell, a Michigan State University law student, started making jewelry from guitar picks, representing Josh's love for playing, and the money raised goes to the Random Act of Kindness fund. Each pick is etched with a memorial, “Josh Powell, Live in Heaven, July 21, 2010,” the day he died.
“He was extremely talented and we were always asking him why he wasn't in a band and doing something with his music,” Bell said.
Josh was also remembered at his funeral services, which was packed with people, many of whom told Linda stories about the things Josh had done — stories Josh never shared with his family.
“It brought a joy to me that he was cared about by so many people,” she added. “My son wasn't a rich man, but he was a good person and never judged people. So many people told me how he touched their lives.”
After his death, Linda said, countless people have reached out to help her family.
One of those people was a man whose son died from a drug overdose and now he gives anti-drug talks at local schools. Linda said she would also like to speak to school groups about the devastation that drugs cause, but she feels she needs time to heal herself and her two other children, Joe, 19 and Marcia, 24.
Another kind stranger surfaced when Linda went to South Lyon Watch and Jewelry Repair to buy a chain for the pick Bell gave her. The unidentified man behind the counter gave Linda the chain.
“Here's someone who didn't know me and he was so touched — it was a random act of kindness,” Linda said. “He didn't have to do that. He could have sold me a necklace. He took the time to stop and that's what it's all about. Instead of all the sadness, hopefully we can do the same for someone who needs us.”
The South Lyon Hotel has done so much too, she added, including selling the guitar pick jewelry.
Bell has been another incredible source of comfort, constantly doing kind things, like remembering Linda's birthday with a maple tree that will stand as a reminder of Josh.
Josh and Bell met playing community education basketball and going on to attend South Lyon middle and high schools together where they wrestled and played football.
“It was kind of always a joke, because we were two chubby kids who probably shouldn't have been on the basketball court,” Bell said.
 |
While at the South Lyon Hotel, Steve Bell holds one of the custom-made guitar picks he is selling to honor his deceased friend, Josh Powell, and to raise fund for a new organization called Random Acts of Kindness in Powell's memory.Hal Gould | Staff Photographer |
Josh grew up in South Lyon and worked with his father in construction. But his passion was music.
“He was very humble,” Linda said regarding a piece Josh composed, which a friend played at the funeral. “We never knew about that. How thankful I am for people who loved him, because I don't want him to ever be forgotten. You should see all the hits he gets on the blog. I can't tell you the joy I get from that.”
Josh's memorial fund will “definitely be geared to help make drug treatment affordable,” Bell said. “If we can get someone the help they need so something like this doesn't happen that would be ideal. But it doesn't necessarily have to be for someone with a drug problem, maybe it would be for someone to go to college.”
Josh was extremely kind hearted, Bell said.
“He was a little rough around the edges, but when you knew him he was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it,” Bell said. “He would lend you $20 even if he needed the money. He always wanted to shoulder other people's burdens, but he's the first guy who would not want anyone to help him. The idea was to kind of further what Josh did himself and help people who need help.”
“He made some poor choices and some bad decisions,” Bell said. “He paid dearly for them. I don't want that to be his defining thing.”
Linda said sometimes she gets angry and asks herself, ‘Why?'
“Even in death I feel I have to protect him,” she said. “I can't say enough about family, friends and the community. We couldn't have gone through this without them and I want to do the same.”
Josh's aunt, JoBeth Stanfill, made a blog, http://www.joshuawaltonpowell.blogspot.com/, where people can see images of Josh, the jewelry and other memorials. Donations to the fund can also be made on the blog. Linda and Bell are working on getting a non-profit status for the Random Act of Kindness fund and Linda wants to develop a committee to decide who gets the money.
“We want to do this right, because if people give money, they should know how it's being spent,” she added.
The guitar pick jewelry, available in bracelets, necklaces and key chains, are available for $10 at the South Lyon Hotel; by emailing Bell at joshpowellpicks@gmail.com; by going to the website, http://www.joshuawaltonpowell.blogspot.com/ or from Bell.
Donations are also being accepted on the blog.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
February 1st, a special day... xox
No matter where I go
I'll always find you there
Because you're in my heart
Of this I'm quite aware.
I'll always find you there
Because you're in my heart
Of this I'm quite aware.
We breath the same air
We walk under the same moon
The sun shines on us both
We dance to the same tune.
We walk under the same moon
The sun shines on us both
We dance to the same tune.
Whether we're together
Or we're far apart
When you see the stars shining
Remember you're in my heart.
Or we're far apart
When you see the stars shining
Remember you're in my heart.
Warm memories of you on a cold Winter day...
Your life was full of loving deeds,
Forever thoughtful of everyone's needs,
Today and tomorrow, my whole life through,
I will always love and cherish you!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Josh's Tree
Steven Bell presented Josh's mother, Linda, with a beautiful Crimson King Maple Tree on her birthday, in honor of Josh. What a cherished gift it has been! As the seasons pass, we will watch the Maple Tree grow and celebrate Josh's life and the time we were blessed to be a part of his life.
Hugs from Heaven
When you feel a gentle breeze
Caress you when you sigh
It's a hug sent from Heaven
From a loved one way up high.
Caress you when you sigh
It's a hug sent from Heaven
From a loved one way up high.
If a soft and tender raindrop
Lands upon your nose
They've added a small kiss
As fragile as a rose.
Lands upon your nose
They've added a small kiss
As fragile as a rose.
If a song you hear fills you
With a feeling of sweet love
It's a hug sent from Heaven
From someone special up above.
With a feeling of sweet love
It's a hug sent from Heaven
From someone special up above.
If you awaken in the morning
To a bluebird's chirping song
It's music sent from Heaven
To cheer you all day long.
To a bluebird's chirping song
It's music sent from Heaven
To cheer you all day long.
If tiny little snowflakes
Land upon your face
It's a hug sent from Heaven
Trimmed with Angel lace.
Land upon your face
It's a hug sent from Heaven
Trimmed with Angel lace.
So keep the joy in your heart
If you're lonely my dear friend
Hugs that are sent from Heaven
A broken heart will mend.
If you're lonely my dear friend
Hugs that are sent from Heaven
A broken heart will mend.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
On this Thanksgiving Day....
Josh,
I am thankful that you were in my life.....
We all miss you so very much..
I am thankful that you were in my life.....
We all miss you so very much..
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
As Thanksgiving approaches....
I am truly thankful to have been blessed by having Josh in my life.
As I reflect on his life, I am reminded of the beautiful footprints he has left for us here on Earth.
He showed us to always be kind and lend a helping hand.
He taught us to never judge people, but to treat others as we wish to be treated.
He reminded us that a smile and a friendly wave hello, can make a person feel special.
He lived by reflecting kindness in his actions.
He taught us to find joy in the simple things that life gives us - a beautiful Fall day, a welcoming kiss on the face and wagging tail from man's best friend, and the joy of music.
He reminded us to be able to laugh at ourselves and find humor in life's situations.
I am thankful this Thanksgiving season for being so lucky to have had Josh in my life for 25 years.
In those 25 years he left behind the most beautiful footprints...
Footprints that, for some, could never be found even after 100 years..
We miss you Josh..
Thank you for being in our lives.
xoxox
Monday, November 8, 2010
Your thoughts... during or after rut season?
Hunters can passionately debate whether it's better to hunt bucks during or after the November rut season. There are advocates for both early- and late-season hunting. There's no right or wrong answer to this debate; no one week or day is better than any other. Your success depends on how you adapt your behavior to what the deer are doing at the time.
Rut Season
November is prime deer mating season. During the rut, as it's called, male bucks get distracted by the urge to mate. These bucks are worn down from eating less food and traveling farther to find does. It may be easier to locate bucks because they are more likely to be out in open territory. If you find does, you can set up a hunting stand there and you'll be sure to see bucks pass by.
Does Rut Season Vary?
The rut season actually changes little from year to year, varying only by location. A study performed by biologists from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (see Resources section) showed consistent deer ruts throughout the fall and winter, with October and November peaks, broken down by hunting district.
Post-Rut
Hunting bucks after the rut has passed is another favorite time because their behavior patterns have changed again. While bucks were acting crazy during the rut, afterward they return to focusing on eating and sleeping. It can actually be easier to track bucks after the rut because they'll vary their habitats and behavior less.
The Spaghetti Challenge
One thing Josh loved and thought was the very best was his mom's homemade spaghetti!
Linda puts a little bit of this, and touch of that, a pinch of this, but most of all a whole lot of love.
I thought this was a cute poem when I saw it and had to share because it made me think of Josh and how he thought his mom's spaghetti was simply the best!
The Spaghetti Challenge
By: Leslie D. PerkinsMy mom’s spaghetti is the best;
no other mom can beat it;
and every time she cooks it
I can hardly wait to eat it.
I twist the strands around my fork
with wonderful control,
but as I raise them to my mouth
they fall back in the bowl.
I twirl the noodles once again
with all the skill I’m able,
but as I lift them up to eat
they tumble to the table.
I spin my fork; spaghetti winds
around and round once more;
but as it nears my waiting lips
it slithers to the floor.
My mom’s spaghetti is the best;
no other mom can beat it;
but I would like it better
if I got a chance to eat it.
Linda puts a little bit of this, and touch of that, a pinch of this, but most of all a whole lot of love.
I thought this was a cute poem when I saw it and had to share because it made me think of Josh and how he thought his mom's spaghetti was simply the best!
The Spaghetti Challenge
By: Leslie D. PerkinsMy mom’s spaghetti is the best;
no other mom can beat it;
and every time she cooks it
I can hardly wait to eat it.
I twist the strands around my fork
with wonderful control,
but as I raise them to my mouth
they fall back in the bowl.
I twirl the noodles once again
with all the skill I’m able,
but as I lift them up to eat
they tumble to the table.
I spin my fork; spaghetti winds
around and round once more;
but as it nears my waiting lips
it slithers to the floor.
My mom’s spaghetti is the best;
no other mom can beat it;
but I would like it better
if I got a chance to eat it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
