Greetings from Laguna! When you make the decision to fully participate in the life you are living, your life is no longer "a problem to be solved" so that you can get to the "good" part. Your life becomes "a reality to be experienced." You become an awake, aware participant in the ups and downs of the daily realities you face.

It is important that you uncover and discover your needs and your core values so that you have an inner map to guide you that is bigger than your moment to moment thoughts and feelings.

When you move to intentional living, your life takes on a cadence that frees you from over-analyzing or over-dramatizing the issues you face. From there you are positioned to love your life and the people in it.

I hope you enjoy meeting Jack.

Warmly, Susan

You Don’t Know Jack

My daily walk downtown is a special time that provides me with some contemplative time. As one of our local artists and my poetic friend, Suzi Chauvel, penned to me recently: “The journey is the destination and the destination is the journey.” Walking is more than just exercise; it is an opportunity to take in the beauty and vitality of our remarkable town.

After awhile of walking the same route, I started to notice ‘landmarks’ that have become personal to me. One of the highlights, if I happen to hit Main Beach and the boardwalk shortly after 1:00PM, is a glimpse of a special Laguna regular, Jack King, who most days can be found sitting and visiting with friends on one of the benches that face the old Lifeguard Tower.

Almost every other person pauses and says: “Hi Jack!” as they pass and Jack, always gracious, touches the brim of his hat and says: “Hi there, pretty lady” or “How are you, so good to see you” in his light and friendly Southern accent.

Jack King started working at Bushard’s Pharmacy, one of our landmark businesses on Forest Avenue, in 1950. He retired from there in 1990. He also worked at Marriner’s Stationary for 7 years. Marriner’s no longer exists but was a staple for those of us who ran our businesses from town.

Jack recently recalled an incident that happened in 1960. “Joe Bushard came to me and said: “Jack, you know a lot of people. There is a newspaper coming out that will be sold for 10 cents a copy and they will be looking for sales people.” He paused and then continued. “Jack, you always do everything I ask you to do.” and I replied: “Yes, of course, you are my boss.” Next, Joe said (real softly): “Then please, please don’t quit on me!” Jack didn’t quit. He stayed for 40 years. He has been a familiar face around this town for 65 years.

Jack is an identical twin. His brother Thomas lives in Laguna Woods. They were born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1928. Jack was the first-born and was named John Hayward Glover, after his father. His left arm and hand were crippled from birth. “Most people have one left arm and one right arm. I have one right arm that works as both a left and right arm. I also have ‘wheels.” Saying this, he looks down at his feet. They are what propel him, walking from home each day, to complete his rounds of the Senior Center, the boardwalk and a visit to Bushard’s Pharmacy. All of these stops are simply opportunities for him to visit with some of his “21,000 friends in town. My only regret is that I can’t remember all of their names.”

Jack’s father died of a mule kick and his mother, Margaret, tried her best to keep and care for the boys and the farm by herself. When Jack and Tommy were eight, during the depression, they were placed in an orphanage. Margaret stayed close by but wasn’t able to get them back until they were sixteen.

Their mother remarried and her new husband was transferred to Camp Pendleton. The family relocated to California, the boys were adopted and Jack legally became Jack King.

My delight at having the opportunity to get to know Jack is sparked by the bright, graciousness that seems to be an integral part of his core personality. I was curious, so I asked him where his upbeat and generous spirit came from. “Is that just your nature or have you come by your rightness with your world gradually?” He reflected quickly and replied: “I am a Christian man. I was baptized twice, the first time in the Baptist Church. I liked the Baptist church. They do a good job.” Then he confided with a smile: “You see, I’m a lover not a loser.”

I asked him if there is anything he would like to say to all of his friends in Laguna.

“Being here for sixty-five years, I love Laguna. I never want to leave (unless it is in a box).” With that, he removes his sunglasses, turns his handsome face my way and smiles his sweet and loving smile. Next, he lifted his eyes and sure enough, another friend was stopping a moment to exchange warm greetings of appreciation for this special man.

Susan teaches workshops locally on how to: Unleash The Power of Your Intuition. Learn more at susanvelasquez.com or contact her at:  (949) 494-7773.