Love Notes

You may be familiar with the famous poem “Casey at the Bat”.  In 1888, Ernest Thayer wrote this dramatic narrative about a fictional baseball game.  The poem speaks to the joy of the game and the hope that exists until the final out is made.  In a surprising twist, that poem concludes with “there is no joy in Mudville – mighty Casey has struck out.”   Recently, Angels’ Place residents returned to the ballgames of Miracle League.  Like in the poem, it was a joy for the men and women to play the game they love with the people they love.  Unlike Casey, however, none of the participants in these games are physically mighty.  And also, unlike Casey, when Robert came to the plate with the bases loaded, he did not strike out.  In fact, he hit the ball farther than he ever had.   A home run.  The miracle of Miracle League. After a year of challenges there was pure joy in Southfield. Your support to Angels’ Place makes homes and services ava...

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many fine people.  Fortunately, I’m pretty good at remembering situations and faces; I am not as adept with names (but I work at it). For two Angels’ Place residents, Katie and Kate, I find the “which-one-is-which” especially challenging. But, they are always kind to remember my face and my name.  They both give me a “shout out” every time they are in the office. Last week Katie and Kate were in an enrichment session with Sister Joann and a couple volunteers.   They played games, worked on academics, practiced sign language, and sang songs. When I poked my head into the room, they were both anxious to say hi!  (Of course, Kate also wanted to engage in a conversation about her beloved Detroit Red Wings).   As the need for isolation loosens, Katie and Kate emitted pure joy in being there and being together. You make this friendship possible and we hope you will experience this same happiness in your day.

 Earlier this week, Barbara Urbiel and I were discussing the annual Angels’ Place golf and tennis outing (Pine Lake CC on July 12). After the meeting, my mind wandered a couple miles west from Pine Lake, down Commerce Road, to our Maxwell Home.  This, of course, was the first Angels’ Place – opened almost thirty years ago. Recently, James Klinger, one of the guys who lived there passed away.  His death continues to be mourned especially by his housemates and those who cared for him. And yet, in his death, we see the beauty of what you have created. It is easy to imagine the difficult, faith-filled decisions made about our residents before they were even born.  In that same spirit, it is our sacred privilege to care for them as they near the end of their natural life.  James lived his live with dignity and resilience; he lived his final days in peace in his Angels’ Place home. You make this possible.

Last week, a small group of us were preparing for an Angels’ Place board meeting.  As part of that preparation we played a ten-year-old video about the founding of Angels’ Place. The video is powerful in that four of the five founders of our organization tell the story in their own words.  Their passion, humility, and faith are palpable. Reflecting on that video, Loretta Nagle Ryan told us another story -- one summer day, she was entertaining her young granddaughter when she learned that a grant application to the Myrtle E. and William G. Hess Charitable Trust needed to be delivered that same day.  So, Loretta exchanged her bathing suit for a pair of shorts, grabbed her granddaughter, and together they delivered the written proposal to an office in downtown Detroit. On August 11, 1993, the Hess Foundation granted that $10,000 request – and they have supported Angels’ Place every year since.  That was the first foundation grant ever to Angels’ Place. Loretta reminds u...

Recently we sent the Angels’ Place network a card to celebrating the life and gift of David Stitt.  Sadly, Mr. Stitt died suddenly of COVID in April.  The card tells his life story.  The gift was a bequest.   You should also know that after receiving the card, four other generous souls documented their bequest intentions with Angels’ Place. Mr. Stitt’s foresight ensures that our mission will live on; his public inclusion in our Legacy Society motivated others to do the same.  Those are both powerful legacies. We hope you smile at the memory of Mr. Stitt and know that we thank you for all you do.  Your example of generosity is likely influencing the actions of others.  Thanks for your leadership.