Communication, connection and community

Donald L. Hammen

On a wall in my bedroom at my house there is a white board. On the white board next to the words Stories and Journeys are the words "communication, connection, community." I’m going to start out trying to anchor this column in those words.

It’s Friday, Sep. 25. I’m arriving at Turtle Bread on Chicago Ave. for Elder Voice (Telling Our Stories/Sharing Our Journeys). Immediately after I walked through the front door with Rick, my walker, I saw a familiar face sitting at a nearby table. It was Jonathan, who used to make and serve myself and other customers omelettes back in the day when Kombomelette was a vendor at Midtown Farmers Market. I remember that we used to enjoy conversation and connection around whatever topics came up. Connection seemed instantaneous as the topics were a lot about catching up.

Soon after I sat down we were joined by a man who told us his name was Patrick. A topic in common immediately surfaced when I discovered I could not find my cell phone. This caught the attention of Jonathan. The three of us became focused on figuring out what happened to my cell phone. Turns out I had left it on a table in my house while I was waiting for Metro Mobility.

While this was happening Nancy showed up. Unlike Jonathan and Patrick, Nancy had read about the Elder Voices while reading Stories and Journeys in Southwest Voices. Nancy began telling her story and sharing her journey. As she was speaking, I happened to notice a news stand with a pile of Southwest Voices newspapers. With my walker, Rick, I walked over to the newsstand. I picked up a handful of newspapers. I gave one each to all four of us as I pointed out the Stories and Journeys column on page four. Now everyone at the table, including me, knows about Southwest Voices and Stories and Journeys including two new people.

Later I would learn that Patrick is a cousin of Barbara, an R.N. with whom I worked at M Health Fairview Riverside for 21 years. Communication, connection and a brief experience of community at Elder Voices.

If you have read this far you have taken the plunge into the river (flow) of life experience which is Stories and Journeys. The next meet ups of Elder Voices are Friday, Oct. 30 and Nov. 27, 10-11 a.m. officially at Turtle Bread on Chicago Avenue.

THE CHURCH OF GICHITWAA KATERI
Sept. 28. I read an ad in Southwest Voices for Life Line Screening so I signed up for a screening to take place at the Church of Gichitwaa Kateri at 3045 Park Ave. S. I received the screening. However, I was more interested in a church about which I knew nothing. As I understand it this is an American Indian Roman Catholic Church. According to an informational brochure I picked up, the practices of the church have been passed down from Ojibwe elders Porky White and Larry Cloud Morgan. Ojibwe and Lakota languages are used in many of the prayers and songs.

Now I have heard of Larry Cloud Morgan beyond that I know nothing. So, I am asking myself what about communication, connection and community when I know next to nothing. My answer for now is the words BE STILL AND KNOW. What about you, dear reader? When you encounter a church or community about which you know nothing. How do you respond? Tell yourself, tell others or tell me via tesha@tmcpub.com

VISITS TO FARMERS MARKETS
I started the season with the goal of visiting and patronizing five south Minneapolis farmer’s markets. I made it to four. Uptown closed before I could get there. Kingfield impressed me with the number and variety of vendors Kingfield staff are able to fit within their space. At Southwest I found a small market with a friendly vibe where I tried food and beverage options that were new to me. I found a pumpkin small enough for me to get home with my walker Rick and set out on the front step of my house.

Communication, connection and brief experiences of community at this season’s farmers markets. The same with Stories and Journeys readers whenever opportunities present themselves.
Correction regarding September’s Stories and Journeys. I wrote that Medicare Open Enrollment started Oct. 7. It started Oct. 15.

Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the SEIU Health Care for MN/IA Retiree Council rom which he serves as a delegate to the Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council.