A vision with action is a very rare and exceptional item for any of us. In our culture it seems true that we are not willing to create visions within ourselves or we are in some way hesitant to bring our visions forward. More often than not, they remain just thoughts. I want to give you an example of a vision translated into action.

There are many different stories concerning the origin of the song: "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree." I would like to share with you now, one that is infrequently told.

Our story begins on a bus, on an interstate, out in the Midwest and there are two strangers sitting next to each other on the bus. One man turns to the other sitting beside him and says, "Excuse me, I wonder if you can help me?"

The stranger looks at the man for a moment and then replies, "Well, tell me what you have in mind, then I'll see what I can do."

The man begins to tell his personal story. He has spent the last four years of his life in prison for a crime that he committed. During the time he was in prison, his wife supported him by visiting him from time to time, by sending him books and reading material and also by sending him letters. As the time drew near for his release, he found himself becoming hesitant about asking her a very simple question: would she take him back when his prison term was over? Would she allow him to resume their life together? Would she accept him again as her husband?

These questions confounded him, and he hesitated until finally, two weeks prior to his release, he decided to send her a letter. He chose to write her a letter because he couldn't bear to hear her say no. In the letter, the told his wife the date he would be returning to the small town that they had lived in. In the letter he told her that if she wanted him to come home, then she should tie a yellow ribbon around the old Oak tree that was prominent in the center of town. Then, if he saw a yellow ribbon, then he knew she would take him back.

As he kept sharing this story with the stranger, the bus turned off the interstate and started toward the small town. The man took his hands and placed them over his eyes. The stranger asked him, "Why are you doing that?" He replied, "I can't bear to look at the tree. This is where I will need your help." He then proceeded to tell him where the tree would be, at what corner and by the center of town. And he asked the man to tell him whether there was a yellow ribbon tied on the oak tree.

He kept his hands over his face as the bus made its way through the town into the center square. Then all of a sudden, the stranger tapped the man on the shoulder and said, "I think you should look up now."

The man looked up from his seat, glanced out the window and saw the Oak tree. What he saw were hundreds of yellow ribbons tied around the Oak tree from the base of the tree, through all the lower limbs and the upper branches, all festooned with bright yellow ribbons. His wife had apparently enlisted the help of her friends and those close to her to help her make a dramatic statement about her feelings, her thoughts and her desire to welcome her husband back home. This story perfectly illustrates what I mean by a vision that was acted upon.

In a lighter vein: A copy editor edits a story about a psychic midget who escapes from jail. His title: "Small Medium At large."

Probably true:"A sweater is a garment worn by a child when his mother feels chilly."

Restaurant Tip: The best Fish 'N Chips in Ventura County are served at Fisherman's House at Harbor Landing in Port Hueneme. I've been eating at their location for more than 20 years. I believe it is still under the same ownership. The fish is always fresh and the prices are reasonable. Try the #9, but only if you are a big eater.

Quote: " All that is not given, is lost" Indian proverb

Next week: Expressions of Love, Part 2

Until then,

Au Revoir

Julian Jinjur