My 2 favourite gentlemen! Visiting Robs and Dad

 I had not visited their graves in a few years and I took the time to do so on my way to the airport. Mom and Moya were in the car with me.

Ramlall drove carefully to both graves. Both Robs and Dad were buried in vaults. I first walked to Robs’s vault and stood for a few minutes holding on to the gates of the vault.  I stood reflecting on him, my big brother, and was not surprised to feel a sense of tremendous loss as I did so. But then I thanked him for all he did for me and then moved on to visit Dad.

I placed my head against dad’s headstone, traced the letters on his headstone with my trembling fingers, and then I gently kissed the headstone before leaving.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight-loss coach and author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Under the Christmas tree

It may not yet be Christmas but boy do I have some wonderful memories to share with you.  Memories of me as a child with very little vision, enjoying my experiences under our family’s Christmas tree.  I had enough vision then to see the lights in their different colors.  I could see the other decorations on the tree, as well, but I did not have quite enough vision to help decorate the tree.  

That was okay by me.  I enjoyed smelling the fragrant pine of our live tree.  At night I would crawl under our tree and lie quietly among the presents, taking care not to crush any of them.  My two brothers were always trying to peek into their presents and they would let me have a feel of mine.  I would shake the presents to see if I could tell what mine were but my brothers would peek and tell.  Oh, how much fun it was then.

I always loved our Christmas tree and everything that went with it.  I loved everything about those wonderful trees.  The smell of them, what lay under them, and what was placed on and around them.  Ah, yes!  Under the Christmas tree!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and tell others about my memories of being under my Christmas tree.  

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Visit my online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html

and you can even take advantage of my free downloads!

Finally, you can subscribe to my free let's talk tips monthly newsletter by visiting http://bit.ly/ADJSubscribe

Under the Christmas tree

It may not yet be Christmas but boy do I have some wonderful memories to share with you.  Memories of me as a child with very little vision enjoying my experiences under our family’s Christmas tree.  I had enough vision then to see the lights in their different colors.  I could see the other decorations on the tree, as well, but I did not have quite enough vision to help decorate the tree. 

That was okay by me.  I enjoyed smelling the fragrant pine of our live tree.  At night, I would crawl under our tree and lie quietly among the presents, taking care not to crush any of them.  My two brothers were always trying to peek into their presents and they would let me have a feel of mine.  I would shake them to see if I could tell what mine were but my brothers would peek and tell.  Oh, how much fun it was then.

I always loved our Christmas tree and everything that went with it.  I loved everything about those wonderful trees.  The smell of them, what lay under them, and what was placed on and around them.  Ah yes!  Under the Christmas tree!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and tell others about my memories of being under my Christmas tree. 

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of my free downloads!
Finally, you can subscribe to my free let's talk tips monthly newsletter by visiting
http://bit.ly/ADJSubscribe

Such sobering memories: Remembering the lagoons

Each lagoon was an individually very special one to me.  Each had its own very special memory because each had something that was different from the other.  Many would say that all lagoons are the same but it was not so for me.

There was the one in Toco, a huge one with water that was always flowing so silently and oh so easily.  We used to build boats out of palm leaves and then float them down the current of the lagoon.  We used to splash around and our dog, Yella, used to join us, barking so happily as she played with us.

I remember that there were fishes living in the lagoon and my brothers would go fishing, often catching a fish or two.  Sometimes we would see crabs running around at the mouth of the lagoon and then we would take time to watch the lagoon empty its water right into the sea.  This lagoon was surrounded by trees that bore luscious sea grapes and almonds.

Then there was the small lagoon in Mayaro.  One that had a bridge across it where I would often sit and listen to my radio and enjoy the fresh sea air. My cousins and brothers would go fishing in it and sometimes have palm leaf boat races but the water was not deep enough for swimming.  Yet the crabs seemed to enjoy playing in it.  This lagoon was right outside of our beach house.  This little lagoon was more open and not many trees surrounded it.

Finally, there was the larger lagoon which was about a quarter mile up the beach from us.  This one was deeper than the other one and there were many fishes in it.  I loved this one because of its peaceful ambiance.  It did not seem to empty its waters into the sea but somehow its waters did flow somewhere.  Coconut trees surrounded it thus making it a very private little getaway.

Those were my lagoons and memories of them shall forever be in my memory bank.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
www.donnajodhan.com.

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Unforgettable! Under the Christmas tree

It may not be yet Christmas but, boy, do I have some wonderful memories to share with you.  Memories of me as a child with very little vision enjoying my experiences under our family’s Christmas tree.  I had enough vision then to see the lights in their different colors.  I could see the other decorations on the tree, as well, but I did not have quite enough vision to help decorate the tree. 

That was okay by me.  I enjoyed smelling the fragrant pine of our live tree.  At night I would crawl under our tree and lie quietly among the presents, taking care not to crush any of them.  My two brothers were always trying to peek into their presents and they would let me have a feel of mine.  I would shake the packages to see if I could tell what mine were, but my brothers would peek and tell.  Oh, how much fun it was then.

I always loved our Christmas tree and everything that went with it.  I loved everything about those wonderful trees.  The smell of them, what lay under them, and what was placed on and around them.  Ah, yes!  Under the Christmas tree!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and tell others about my memories of being under my Christmas tree. 

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author and you can even take advantage of my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates.  I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift.  Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more. I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti-bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying  and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries: Patterned after the "Murder she wrote!" and "Murdoch mysteries!" Where mystery is the order of the day. Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers.  You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries!  Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot!  But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

Cherished memories: Driving Jeffrey's cars around our home

I really enjoyed those childhood days whenever I got the chance to play with my brother Jeffrey's cars, trading in my dolls and tea sets for another type of fun.

We used to tie bits of string to these cars and then proceed to race each other around the house.  There was the police  car, the patrol car, the lumbering bus, the old timer car, and oh, yes, my favorite!  The Ferrari!

These activities usually took place on weekends, mainly on Sundays.  Our dogs were spectators but they made very sure to do their spectating from afar choosing to stay back as we raced by. 

Our parents did not seem to object or at least I never thought that they did.  Granny stayed in her room reading her newspapers and my mom and dad sat around looking on. 

Oh yes!  Those were such happy days, never to return! However, the memories remain forever.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day. 

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Childhood memories: Battling fever as a child

Weird as this may sound, whenever I had to battle those frequent childhood bouts of fever, it meant that I had to lie in bed for long spells but this gave me a lot of time to think and imagine. 

As Mom fussed with the hot wash cloths and aspirins and generally worried over me, I found time to think and imagine.  Then, as Granny and Dad came in to visit frequently, it also gave me time to appreciate my family so much more. 

I must not forget my brothers and dogs, as well.  Many times Jeffrey, my twin brother, would come into the room and lie on my bed beside me and there he would remain, quietly, sometimes telling me some sort of joke that he had either made up or heard at school. Robert, my elder, would stand at the window close to my bed and would often try to cheer me up by teasing me. 

Ah yes, those faithful four-legged friends!  Yella would often visit and lie close by on the floor under my bed while Lion and Tiger would come in and out. 

As for my time to think?  There was a lot of time to do this and more often than not my imagination took me to so many places: foreign countries, adventures, and yes!  Thoughts of what I wanted to be when I grew up.  Maybe a lawyer or maybe a story teller!  Or maybe a child forever!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day. 

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Great memories: Happy times in the Savannah

hey sure were such happy times for me and they are times that shall always remain in a very special corner of my heart.

I can still remember learning to fly a kite with my dad and playing all kinds of ball games with him and my brothers.  I remember racing around on Jeffrey's scooter with him running alongside me and laughing at the top of his voice.  I remember running as hard as I could with Jeffrey and Nancy and enjoying it so much as the fresh, cool air blew gently through my hair and across my cheeks.

Then there were the times when Dad and I would take our dog, Yella, for walks and she would just go off and roll around in smelly dirt and then Dad would scold her before taking her home to give her a bath and another scolding.

Then Dad would take Jeffrey and me to see the race horses and we would stand there watching them do their morning exercises and Dad and Jeffrey would describe everything to me.

Then there were the more quiet times: walking with Mom and Dad in the Savannah, feeling the cool grass under my feet, listening to the sweet singing birds,  inhaling the fragrance of nearby flowers, and sitting quietly on the benches while Dad read and Mom and I chatted.

Ah, yes!  Those cherished memories for a lifetime.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day. 

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Looking back: Playing with Jeffrey's toys

I can easily say that as a child I certainly had the best of two worlds. That is, I was able to play with my girl's toys, either on my own or with my girl cousins, and then, on the other hand, with my brother Jeffrey's toys.

I looked upon this as having been able to enjoy two different worlds. Jeffrey is my twin brother so there was no age barrier.  I played with his toy cars and toy soldiers.   I simply loved to drive them around on the carpet, and then there were his little trucks, vans, and buses.

One of my favorites was his space ship and another was his Mix Master cement mixer.  He always used to let me play with them for hours on end.

Then he would help me tie bits of string around his larger cars and pull them around our home.  There was his police car, the patrol car, the large bus, and the old-timer car!  And oh, yes!  The Ferrari race car, which was one of my favorites.

Sometimes I tried out his pop guns but I was always afraid of the noise that they made.  The one thing that I stayed away from, however, was his model planes because I knew how much he treasured them. I was always afraid that I would break them if I touched them too hard.  However, my parents would let me touch them once in a while so that I could get an idea of their shape.

Oh, yes!  How much I enjoyed playing with Jeffrey's toys!  Those tiny cars and toy soldiers will forever be in my mind, and yes!  Playing with the sailboats in our large, plastic swimming pool.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day. 

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Another childhood memory: Remembering my childhood bathtub

Oh yes!  It was huge and it was filled with all kinds of things as I passed through my childhood years.  With balls of all sizes.  With boats and ships. With all kinds of everything.

This tub was not your ordinary one!  It was custom made with lots of space for me to slide around.  There were high walls and a step to climb down into the tub.  There was a shower and an additional tap for us kids to shower under.

I always remember using the bar of soap to make the floor of the tub slippery and then I would sit and slide around in it all.  My brother, Jeffrey, did the same thing and as kids we would have mini races in our bath tub.

Ah, yes!  Those wonderful memories!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day. 

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A cherished memory: Under the Christmas tree

It may not be yet Christmas but boy do I have some wonderful memories to share with you.  Memories of me as a child with very little vision enjoying my experiences under our family’s Christmas tree.  I had enough vision then to see the lights in their different colors.  I could see the other decorations on the tree as well but I did not have quite enough vision to help decorate the tree. 

That was okay by me.  I enjoyed smelling the fragrant pine of our live tree.  At night I would crawl under our tree and lie quietly among the presents, taking care not to crush any of them.  My two brothers were always trying to peek into their presents and they would let me have a feel of mine.  I would shake the packages to see if I could tell what mine were but my brothers would peek and tell.  Oh, how much fun it was then.

I always loved our Christmas tree and everything that went with it.  I loved everything about those wonderful trees.  The smell of them, what lay under them, and what was placed on and around them.  Ah, yes!  Under the Christmas tree!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and tell others about my memories of being under my Christmas tree. 

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access
to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at http://www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates.  I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift.  Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more.
I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti-bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying  and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries:Patterned after the "Murder she wrote!" and "Murdoch mysteries!"
Where mystery is the order of the day.
Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers.  You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries!  Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot!  But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

Playing with the tiny toys

Growing up with two brothers meant for me that I spent lots of time playing with their toys. I had lots of fun doing it and as I sit writing this blog I can still vividly remember it all.

I had so much fun playing with their tiny cars, jeeps, buses, trucks, vans, and armored vehicles. I also played with their toy soldiers and war planes and boats and it enabled and allowed me to use my imagination to a great extent.

I used to drive the tiny toys up and down the carpet and onto the bare floors of our home. I used to imagine all kinds of things. Anything from delivering newspapers in my little van to driving myself to school. I used to pretend that I could drive any of these tiny toys on my own. I used to either play by myself or play with my brothers.

Out of all of this came some very important experiences for me. I learned to imagine. I learned the shapes of various vehicles, and I learned to develop my various motor skills. I also learned to play with all kinds of toys other than my girl toys.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to come by and check out my heart warming audio mysteries at www.donnajodhan.com. I write and record my very own mysteries and I can tell you that my audio mysteries are completely void of explicit descriptions of sex and violence. It's all about drama, suspense, and intrigue.It's my way of helping to create listening for leisure and leaving imagining crime behind.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/author.jodhan

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"If you either are or have been a victim of crime, violence, abuse, or bullying, and if you are simply tired of being bombarded with audios and scenes of the above, then I am asking for your support. I have written and recorded audio mysteries that are completely void of vivid descriptions of sex, crime, and violence because I firmly believe that it is time for us to use the spoken word to help influence our kids to start listening to content that is clean and healthy. By doing this we can all do our part to tackle crime in a positive and meaningful way and it only costs pennies per day.Visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
I thank you and your kids will also thank you!"

Under the Christmas tree

It may not be yet Christmas but boy do I have some wonderful memories to share with you. Memories of me as a child with very little vision enjoying my experiences under our family’s Christmas tree. I had enough vision then to see the lights in their different colors. I could see the other decorations on the tree as well but I did not have quite enough vision to help decorate the tree.

That was okay by me. I enjoyed smelling the fragrant pine of our live tree. At night, I would crawl under our tree and lie quietly among the presents taking care not to crush any of them. My two brothers were always trying to peek into their presents and they would let me have a feel of mine. I would shake them to see if I could tell what mine were but my brothers would peek and tell. Oh, how much fun it was then.

I always loved our Christmas tree and everything that went with it. I loved everything about those wonderful trees. The smell of them, what lay under them, and what was placed on and around them. Ah yes! Under the Christmas tree!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and tell others about my memories of being under my Christmas tree.
Come by and enjoy some of my audio mysteries at www.donnajodhan.com.
Follow me on twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

Using the water wings

They were a deep blue and yellow and how I loved them. They were what my dad would make me wear each and every time we went swimming in the sea. That was, until I learned how to swim. They were my constant companion each time we went swimming and they are what I used to learn how to swim.

I really do not remember when I graduated from not having to use them but that's really okay. Dad would take me swimming and allow me to paddle around. I would lie on my back and look up at the blue skies and gorgeous sun. Then I would flip onto my tummy and look down on the sun playing on the surface of the sea. Dad was always within reach if I needed him. Some times he would hold on to my wings and then at other times he would allow me to swim on my own but I knew that he was always right there with me.

I do not quite remember this part but I believe that my twin brother Jeffrey also had wings. My elder brother, Robert, did not have any as he was four years older than Jeffrey and me and was a good swimmer. After the water wings came the pink water pal and then after that I was allowed to swim as free as a fish.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to go out there and share my memories with others. Visit me any time at www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.

How I learned to swim

I learned to swim like almost every other kid did! Dad taught me and he did it effortlessly and with no prompting from anyone. He taught my brothers how to swim and the only difference here is that I was blind and my brothers were sighted.

Dad gently placed me on my belly in the calm waters of the ocean, placed his hand under my belly and then told me to paddle my legs and move my arms. I was never afraid and soon he was showing me how to swim back and forth. After this came the different strokes: butterfly, back stroke, the crawl, and so much more.

Dad took me into the sea and showed me how to swim beyond the breakers. He showed me how to surf and jump the waves, swim with and against the current, and the rest was very easy. Then we went into a fresh water pool and by that time I had learned enough to swim on my own.

I have so many memories of Dad and my brothers frolicking in the waves with me. We had such fun and my cousins were always there to share in the delight. I used to love to lie on my back and float effortlessly, looking up at the bright blue skies with puffy white clouds drifting lazily by. Or I would lie on my stomach and swim slowly back and forth, looking at the sunlight playing on the water. I did somersaults, dived below the surface, swam with one leg in the air, and so much more. What great memories forever!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and share my swimming delights with others. Come visit me at www.donnajodhan.com.

Under the Christmas tree

It may not be Christmas yet but, boy, do I have some wonderful memories to share with you. Memories of me as a child with very little vision enjoying my experiences under our family’s Christmas tree. I had enough vision then to see the lights in their different colors. I could see the other decorations on the tree as well but I did not have quite enough vision to help decorate the tree.

That was okay by me. I enjoyed smelling the fragrant pine of our live tree. At night, I would crawl under our tree and lie quietly among the presents taking care not to crush any of them. My two brothers were always trying to peak into their presents and they would let me have a feel of mine. I would shake them to see if I could tell what mine were but my brothers would peek and tell. Oh, how much fun it was then.

I always loved our Christmas tree and everything that went with it. I loved everything about those wonderful trees. The smell of them, what lay under them, and what was placed on and around them. Ah yes! Under the Christmas tree!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and tell others about my memories of being under my Christmas tree.

Come by and enjoy some of my audio mysteries at www.donnajodhan.com.

When I played marbles

This was one of the favorite games of my brothers and cousins growing up, but at that time I could not fully participate so I became the bank. What was that? I was the one that kept the marbles for each player when they won them and loaned them to the player whenever they ran short of marbles.

My brothers and cousins knew that I could not participate fully so it was their way of including me in their marble games. Of course, I developed my own marble games and played by myself. I created a tiny enclosed area on a table and then arranged the marbles in a small ring. I then tried to hit the marbles out of the ring with other marbles.

Most times it worked for me and I had fun but it was also hard for me because I could not play with others and if a marble rolled off the table I had to go looking for it or seek help. In short, I had to be careful not to roll the marbles too hard. At that time, however, I could see the colors of each marble and would sometimes sit for minutes on end gazing at each of my marbles and enjoying their colors.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and tell others about my marble games. Come visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca.

Under the Christmas tree

It may not be yet Christmas but boy do I have some wonderful memories to share with you. Memories of me as a child with very little vision enjoying my experiences under our family’s Christmas tree. I had enough vision then to see the lights in their different colors. I could see the other decorations on the tree, as well, but I did not have quite enough vision to help decorate the tree.

That was okay by me. I enjoyed smelling the fragrant pine of our live tree. At night, I would crawl under our tree and lie quietly among the presents taking care not to crush any of them. My two brothers were always trying to peak into their presents and they would let me have a feel of mine. I would shake them to see if I could tell what mine were but my brothers would peak and tell. Oh, how much fun it was then.

I always loved our Christmas tree and everything that went with it. I loved everything about those wonderful trees. The smell of them, what lay under them, and what was placed on and around them. Ah yes! Under the Christmas tree!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and tell others about my memories of being under my Christmas tree. Visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca to learn more.

Under the Christmas tree

It may not yet be Christmas but boy do I have some wonderful memories to share with you. Memories of me as a child with very little vision enjoying my experiences under our family’s Christmas tree. I had enough vision then to see the lights in their different colors. I could see the other decorations on the tree as well but I did not have quite enough vision to help decorate the tree.

That was okay by me. I enjoyed smelling the fragrant pine of our live tree. At night, I would crawl under our tree and lie quietly among the presents taking care not to crush any of them. My two brothers were always trying to peak into their presents and they would let me have a feel of mine. I would shake them to see if I could tell what mine were but my brothers would peak and tell. O how much fun it was then.

I always loved our Christmas tree and everything that went with it. I loved everything about those wonderful trees. The smell of them, what lay under them, and what was placed on and around them. Ah yes! Under the Christmas tree!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and tell others about my memories of being under my Christmas tree. Visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca to learn more.

Remembering Robert

Yesterday marked the third anniversary of my brother's passing.  My big brother Robert; just as if it were yesterday.  How well I remember his voice, the smell of his cologne, my hand in his whenever he guided me around.  When he passed on, I had already lost most of my vision but o how I remember his face. 

 

Robert and I looked alike but there were definitely so many other things to remember about him.  He was one of my biggest supporters.  He always used to say to me that being blind should not be a problem but only something to overcome.  He understood so many things about me.  He never held my blindness as a barrier for me and he was there to egg me on and encourage me to reach for the stars.

 

I know that Robert would have been proud of my efforts with regard to my present charter challenge and as I write this I could just hear him saying "Why not!"  Robert was daring, unafraid, fiercely loyal, and always there to lend a helping hand.  He used to let me play hide and seek with him and his friends and whenever we went swimming in the sea; he would unceasingly throw sand into my hair, or duck me under the water. 

 

Robert was four years my senior but yet he found time to play with Jeffrey and me when we were growing up.  As we matured, our relationship was one of mutual respect and support.  He always made time to visit me whenever he flew into Toronto; he was an airline pilot.  When he became ill, he never stopped supporting me.

 

His face is forever imprinted in my mind; I shall never forget him!  His photo lies well wrapped and undamaged in my memory bank.  I am no longer able to see photos of him but that's okay.

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day.