At Play In The Fields Of Now
People With Purpose...Sister Margret
Morning Meditation
Journal Entry: 1/11/18
There is a story behind this photo entitled Morning Meditation. Just a memory. Perhaps those mental things we keep around to remind us of certain feelings and affections. This photo is by John Donnels Of New Orleans.
For most of my productive years, at least those that had any value, were the ones I spent working alongside Catholic Nuns in healthcare. A strong and dedicated group of women. Since I am deeply rooted in religion, but not a deeply rooted religious man, I have always remembered that I was raised by a Holy Man and worked most of my life with Sister’s of Charity. My entire life has been around people with purpose. So in a way that has become my religion. *
*Anyway, I visited with this one Sister each day, and hanging on her wall was this picture. I always gave it a nod and a praise. When my career ended with this Order, Sister Margret presented me with this photo. What a gift. I entitled it People With Purpose. I look at it each day with fond memories.
I just happened to be in New Orleans one year during the French Quarter Festival. It was one of those short trips that turned into a longer trip. I made it a purpose to stop by Mr Donnels Photo Gallery down on St. Peter Street. St. Peter’s Street is nestled in close to Jackson Square. What a nice walk it is to revisit a few times of year. I usually take St. Ann down to Cafe Du Monde, have a cup of dark coffee, stroll the River levee and pick up St. Peter to Mr. Donnels studio. It’s like you need to check in again with all those first impressions.
Mr. Donnels did not know me, but I felt I knew him, maybe just a little, by looking at his photo each day. His gallery was filled with pictures of his neighborhood and its people. His kind demeanor, only confirmed my belief in his purpose.
Mr. Donnels died at the age of 84...a local documentary was made of him. It was called the Pink Satin Suit:
The Pink Satin Suit documents the struggles, perseverance and discipline that go into the making of a self-made man. Johnny Donnels is an icon of the French Quarter where he runs a gallery filled with his own art. Revealed in a lover’s embrace with the life that he has created, he is, to many, the last of the great Bohemians: a symbol of freedom and ease.
