Those of you who know me know that I've become a bit of a news
junkie. However, that was not always so. When I was
younger, if I reached for the paper, it was for one of three
reasons:
1. I wanted to read the comics. 2. I wanted to read the People section and
see if John or anyone affiliated with TBAA was in it and, barring that, if there was any
interesting entertainment news.
3. I wanted to read
Ann Landers and/or Dear Abby.
So I guess it was no surprise that I've spent part of this last
week reading some of the lovely tributes being written about
Pauline Friedman Phillips aka Abigail Van Buren aka Dear
Abby. I've done a pretty good job, I think, of crediting
the cultural references that filter into all things
Dyeland. But I don't think I've done as good of a job with
crediting those who inspire the style of the regular JABB
newsletters. Because of Dear Abby and Ann Landers, we have
our own advice columns: Dear Annie Dru and Advice from the Angel
of Angels. When I write those, I often think "What would
Abby or Ann say to this..." Really I have no clue how
they'd deal with drama between angels and their human friends
but I know they would respond with compassion and wit and I try
to bring a lil of both to these fictional replies. So I'm
going to turn this over to Annie Dru and the Angel of Angels
with fond memories of seeking guidance myself from twin sisters
who came from my beloved Midwest.
God bless,
Jenni
Dear Annie Dru
Dear Annie Dru,
I'm new to these parts and find myself with all sorts of
questions. However, I realize my new friends
(family!) have a right to privacy. Should I
patiently wait for the stories I'm longing for to trickle
out or do you think it's okay to ask questions? I
don't want to put them on the spot but I'm afraid that if
I don't learn some more about them then at some point I'm
going to say something very stupid and potentially
hurtful.
Thanks,
Peter Parker
Dear Bruce Wayne,
;-) I think the key thing to remember is that there
aren't a whole lot of new people brought into
Dyeland. The fact that you're here shows that your
new friends trust you. They know you'd never ask
anything to be hurtful. Besides, if there's one
thing I know about the ladies of Dyeland it's this: they
*love* talking about Andrew. So ask away!
Maybe add a clause like "If you'd rather not answer or
would feel better if I asked someone else then that's
okay" if you want. That way the pressure is off them
and they know you won't be pushy. However, I think
you'll be pleasantly surprised about just how open your
friends will be.
Inquisitively,
Annie Dru
Dear Annie Dru,
I have a dilemma... I think. Maybe not. My
roommate and I are being completely spoiled. Every
week one of our friends comes over and does our
laundry. She and another friend come over pretty
regularly to help straighten up the house, too. Us
guys love seeing them but how can we get them to realize
that they don't need to work every time they're over
here? They do seem happy so maybe we should not say
anything?
Please advise,
Smelling April Fresh
Dear April Fresh,
That name going on a T-shirt now? My advice: chill
out in your freshly laundered flannel in your lint-free
recliner. While you were away, your friends had to
forgo a lot of the nurturing they usually bestow on
you. Now you're back and seeing the result of over
three months of having those impulses denied. And
you have a cute-as-a-button roommate who everyone loves,
too. Accept that these neat freak activities are
actually your friends indulging in their desire to protect
and comfort you and the roomie. Eventually that need
will become less pressing but for now just be thankful and
you boys can repay their kindness with home cooked
meals. And dessert. *Never* forget the
dessert.
Hungrily,
Annie Dru
Dear Annie Dru,
So a friend is taking a bunch of us on vacation thanks to
the generosity of some other friends. I'm so looking
forward to going. The shows! The food!
The quality time together! The problem? It's
an amusement park and I'm not sure I can handle those
fast, loopy, quick drop rides any more. But I don't
want to be alone while my friends go. What should I
do?
Much thanks for any guidance,
Wobbly One
Dear Wobbly,
I'm sure there will be others who share your hesitation
and will find other means to amuse themselves while your
other friends decide to take their chances with
gravity. Stick with them. But if you want,
give the rides a try. You might just find that those
thrill rides can be a lot less intimidating when
surrounded by angels. But do me a favor, will
you? Bring me back one of those ridiculous photos
showing all of you looking like The Scream as you
careen down a roller coaster drop.
Dizzily,
Annie Dru
Advice
from the Angel of Angels
Dear
Sir,
I have a really, really amazing supervisor. His
life is pretty unconventional and a lot of other angels
are very curious about him. How do I go about
answering their questions? I don't want to reveal
too much about my supervisor or our human friends.
However, I totally understand the other angels'
curiosity. I was like them once but, thankfully, I
worked in Records so could get my "fix" that way.
What do you think, sir?
Most Sincerely,
A Very Blessed Protege
Dear Very Blessed,
You certainly are that as are we all! You won't
do any harm in sharing a little about your
supervisor's assignments and general information about
the time you spend with your human friends. I
think you will have little problem telling the
difference between recounting life among your friends
and betraying confidences. Most everyone, angel
and human, enjoys sharing anecdotes about their loved
ones. (As you know, the Father has an entire
Book in which He does exactly this.) Your
accounts may even comfort our newer angels facing
their first assignments on earth. I'm sure you
recall how daunting that can be. When in doubt,
ask your friends if they mind your sharing a
particular remembrance. You may be surprised how
touched they are to know you think about them when
you're Home.
Be at peace,
The Angel of Angels
Dear Angel of Angels,
What is the problem with young angels today?
Their speech is indecorous. Their clothing
choices are atrocious. I saw one walking
around with red hair. I don't mean normal red
hair. I mean hair as red as a tulip. How
can I help improve the condition of our ranks?
Respectfully,
The Old Guard
Dear Old Guard,
You could adjust your attitude.
Be at peace,
The Angel of Angels
Dear Angel of Angels,
I was created a few years ago and am doing my best
to do the Father's will and bring His love to my
assignments. I know I don't look like most of
the other angels. My hair is really red and I
wear clothes that an assignment once told me were
"the best Steampunk clothes they'd ever seen."
I feel like the look enables them to trust me more
which is important because I'm in Search and Rescue
and don't have much time to make an
impression. However, there's another angel who
I feel looks down on me because of how I look.
What should I say to her?
Yours,
Steampunk Sallie
Dear Steampunk Sallie,
I hope that when you see this in print, you will note
that your concern has been addressed. Always
remember this: the Father created you just as you are
and loves you just as you are. He also loves all
of His children regardless of their clothes or hair
color or choice of accessories. He is proud of
you for making choices that enable you to better reach
your assignments. Don't let a busybody upset
you. You are making many of us very, very proud.
Be at peace,
The Angel of Angels
Well, I think
I'm too old to fully embrace the Steampunk
phase. Or maybe I'm just too cheap.
;-) In any case, I loved that TBAA showed us
that God loves us regardless of our outward
appearance. So this newsletter is dedicated to
John's gorgeous portrayal of Andrew as he cared for
those who society often turns their nose up at or
shakes their head over. When Andrew cared for
China, defended Tony, and showed respect for anyone
who others disrespected; it made me feel just a
little more secure about my own place in this
world. I'm confident others felt that, too.
~Jenni
(Photo Credits: The photographs used on this page
are from "Touched by an Angel" and owned by CBS Productions,
Caroline Productions, and Moon Water Productions. They are
not being used to seek profit.)