Did you know..............

there is another "Heart" Island in NY?  I didn't.  Through my research about my "Hart" Island, I found there exists another, of course, not to be confused.....................Heart Island, on which stands the famously known tourist attraction Boldt Castle, is "one of the 1,793 islands found in the Saint Lawrence River which forms part of the U.S.- Canada border".   Blah, blah, blah.  It was abandoned by its extremely rich owner, George Charles Boldt, shortly after the death of his beloved wife (1904), for whom he had built the castle in the first place.  Until 1977, when it was "gifted" to the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, it had lain barren and left to rot like so many other fabulous historical landmarks - can we all say Hart Island?  Fortunately for this beautiful "home", it was lovingly restored, although many rooms were left "unfinished" to give the full effect of how it looked before restoration began.  Point?  Why can't Hart Island have a new owner, a caregiver that would do just that - give care - and see the beauty, potential and historical value and begin to do something about it?  Why does the Department of Corrections even continue to have control?  They aren't really doing anything with Hart Island except giving low level inmates of Ryker's Island the task of burying and disinterring bodies that no one, other than family and friends, care about.   Don't get me wrong, the inmates perform a very important task, and they can still continue to do so til the end of time or they run out of inmates - whichever occurs first - but the New York City Department of Corrections should not have jurisdiction over something so important when they're not doing what they can to turn Hart Island into the place it is - hallowed ground and final resting place for so many...........including my brother!  Seriously, why can't these inmates be put to better and more use - start fixing some buildings, planting more flowers, building some monuments, adding some prayer/meditation benches, add some fountains?  And why the hell isn't something being done to allow family, friends, or just your general public who may be interested in visiting, easier access?  I'm just askin'.  And, how come more people aren't asking the same questions?

No news....................yet............

It's quite disappointing to me that those in NYC who were helping me locate my brother's remains, and who were supportive of me and my ideas for Hart Island, seem to have fallen by the wayside.  Perhaps they've no clue what to do, although with their own political connections I find it hard to believe, they're busy with other more important city-type stuff, or they're hoping I will just go away, I don't know.  One of those persons helping me, and with whom I have communicated a  great deal is City Council Minority Leader James Oddo (R-Mid-Island/Brooklyn) from Staten Island.  Jim was the person to whom I wrote when I initially was trying to locate John's remains.  He was an angel, truly, and very concerned and interested in helping.  And while I am reluctant to say anything negative, I am greatly disappointed in the lack of communication of late.  I had written to him approximately a month ago, merely asking for names of persons - city officials, etc.- to whom I could write concerning Hart Island - no response yet.  Maybe he really thinks I'm crazy, who knows, but I will continue writing to him until I get some type of response.  Then again, I'm not the most patient person in the world, especially when I have a vision in front of me.

Question:  why is the Department of Corrections allowed to get away with giving me and city officials inaccurate and false information regarding locating John's remains?  How many other families have they done this to?  Why are they going unpunished for causing more harm and pain?  Did they really investigate my particular situation as to how such inaccurate info could be given?  Did anyone take responsibility?  If I could get just one person with a modicum amount of power in NYC to help me............... I can only hope.  Alas, I'm just one little ant among trillions.

New Year, New Hopes..........

It's been quite some time since my last posting but my journey still continues.  I wrote what I thought was  a wonderful spiritual story about faith, John, and what happens when we believe but, alas, didn't receive any acknowledgement for it.  I've jumped back on my wagon and am, once again, doing my thing to get some recognition and respect for Hart Island and all its inhabitants.  Next up:  letter to Mayor Bloomberg.  Hell, he's got enough money, why can't he begin private funding for the Island's restoration and beautification?  Does everything have to involve red tape & bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo?  Can't someone just do the right thing? Or, at least, begin?

When least expected................

you get a surprise.  Contact from my NYC local government connection who indicates he will be requesting a hearing by the Fire and Criminal Justice Committee regarding the outrageous behavior of the DOC concerning the locating (not!) of John's remains, and related matters.  Fingers crossed everyone.  I've said it before and I'll say it again..................something good just may come of all this tragedy.

The end...................

It's been a while since I've posted but it appears the end has come in my quest to help Hart Island. Those I thought would help have not - or perhaps I'm impatient - and I'm sad to say that my hopes and dreams were merely just that - hopes and dreams. I suppose I was overreaching in believing that little ol' me could do something, make a difference, light some fires, whatever you want to call it, and definitely overestimated me. For now, and probably for good, the dream's died and my efforts along with it.

Life's little surprises...........

Well it's confirmed - John's remains will never be found; the DOC is not taking responsibility, haven't even received a formal, not to mention sincere, apology, if you can believe it. Next step: get our story out there.  I've said it before and I will say it again - something good will come of this and I will do what I can to bring attention to the Island and how it's operated.  Families have the right, as do friends and the public, in general, to visit the Island without having to go through an FBI security check (might as well be).  The Island is history and history must be preserved. Not to mention the all important reason that there are flying souls on that Island who need and want to come in for a landing and stay a while.  They need their rest.

The winds may be a changin'.............

Feeling a little more optimistic today; communications between me and my human angel have given me a little boost.  I'm not the most patient person in the world - no, really? - and when I have an idea, or a course I'm following, it has to happen now!  Things don't work that way in real life and I get discouraged real quick.  BUT, then I bounce back pretty quickly. I can't allow myself to feel defeated or beat cause it's just not in my nature to "lay down and die".  Have taken some positive steps and getting my word and message to a couple of influential folks in NYC on behalf of the Island, one of whom is very well known - he'll probably just think I'm a "nut", if he even gets my message, but I'm not -  just passionate, single minded with a mission.  Hey, gotta do what you gotta do and putting my thoughts out there in the universe may just yield some action.  What is it they say that if you think it and say it, it's out there waiting to be interecepted - or something like that. I continue to believe that John's plan was not just about him, but a much bigger picture.  As a friend told me, John's guiding me on the journey and it's up to me to figure out how to follow the guideposts he's placing in front of me - doing my best John and something good will come out of all that I'm doing.  Stay tuned!  Is anyone reading any of this?  Missing a lot if not :)