Jana Stamps

My first podcast. 3 weeks to the day, 21 days since my Beloved passed into the arms of our Maker. Little did I know, life would change forever in a matter of 3 hours. It's of no coincidence to me that we are in March, Mars territory, the Warrior. Final week of Holy Week. Resurrection. He had to die for us to live. Couldn't be any more personal to me. I used to read Bill's stories back to him for him to get a sense of rhythm for the story he was writing. "Lessons in Life from Elizabeth" has always been one of my all time favorite stories. Undoubtedly because of the beauty and romance of Bill's writing. His description of the perfume of the apple tree seeping into the pressed-ironed dress shirts is fitting for a Disney movie. Of course, Elizabeth's ever-present sweet heart and connection to Higher Spirit invites us to the lesson. She embodies the image of that idyllic mother, full of nurturing and grace. Then, the story pivots to my baby, ravaged with malaria and hallucinations, in the jungles of Vietnam seeing and feeling the presence of God ahead. My heart breaks at the suffering and collateral damage I lived through with you. None of that killed him. He died of a broken heart much closer to home. Jana --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jana-stamps/support [https://anchor.fm/jana-stamps/support]

"Be Happy For What you Have" MIZ LENA II, by Bill Stamps (Amazon) - An updated collection of short stories about growing up in the South, in the 50's, under the supervision of Bill's no-nonsense, pragmatic grandmother, Miz Lena, and the loving presence of Elizabeth, Dimple, Old Tom, Magic Man and others. Miz Lena was a true-grit Southern woman whose wisdom transcends time and space. There are many subtle messages in each one of Bill's stories. I encourage you to read them all.  Please check out SOUTHERN FOLKS, Bill's second book of short stories filled with other magical characters. It's Vintage. Americana. As some of you may remember, Bill and I were working on converting Bill's short stories into audio. This one here is the only recording Bill managed to eek out. He hadn't been feeling well and wasn't at his best that day we went into the studio.  Like all great performers, he knew when to turn it on.  Funny and beyond coincidental, the title to the only story he left us with is: "Be Happy for What you Have." I think he was trying to tell us something. Many thanks to Judy Crawley-Robinson for reading the part of Miz Lena. We appreciate your friendship and your tender heart. Hope you enjoy it.  With millions of pieces of my heart broken, this is what's left. Jana --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jana-stamps/support [https://anchor.fm/jana-stamps/support]