Addressing an Old Stereotype and Opening Eyes

Dear Beloved Readers,

I went to the State Program Standing Committee for Developmental Services last week. I was moved to see a roomful of earnest people who are truly dedicated to finding ways to continue the movement of big changes in budgets forward rather than backwards.

I am someone who has been using services handled by this group for nearly all of my life. I always painted a dark picture in my mind of the people who were at the top.

I guess that is a natural response to what you don’t know. I am so glad I know otherwise and I hope to continue attending as I know my presence gives a great example of services working well.

“I am really moved by the care I feel here. It is so heartening to see the way good people wrangle with a tough situation. I am in agreement with Anne and yes I think we need to give more specific actions.”

— Mark Utter

Oh the world is slowly changing.

I give hope to the wretches in my life and the jabberers too. (Please click here if you don’t know what this refers to.)

I am feeling great hope for my life as I continue to make changes to move me more and more out into our world.

You all dearly deserve some light as it has been so gray out.

I smile with great sunshine to you.

Fondly

Mark

The Wonder Man

Wonderful Communication Bridge

Hello Dear Readers,

I am really happy that I am working on a project with Emily’s Mom. I am thinking about it today because I am hoping to share a bit of that story with you.

The germ of this idea came from the mind of Larry Bissonnette. I know he told Emily a long time ago that the reason she was attracted to our form of communication was that it replicated a similar form she used with her Deaf grandparents.

I know she very much lights up when she interacts with anyone. The joy of crossing a communication bridge makes her shine.

Please look at this photo of her and the man who loved his dear granddaughter so much.

And here is a picture of him with his community of fingerspellers.

I feel so fortunate that Emily and I have dared to keep stepping forward into an uncertain future. Our light just keeps getting brighter with beautiful radiant energy.

Oh, let me give you some now.

I am so aware of how love fits people so well when each person is open. You can find it when you think and feel using your heart.

It is good to know what you need to care for yourself. Gently learn it and live it.

Good luck.

Mark

Feeling Delighted

Wonderful Times in Innovative Venues

Dear Beloved Readers,                                                                                

I am delighted to tell you that I had a wonderful screening of my movie at The Bread and Puppet Theater.

The Paper Mache Cathedral

It was the “aftershow” for an afternoon of wonderful performances in the glory of autumn in Vermont. I was awed to be in Peter’s Paper Mache Cathedral and love that Emily says it flooded one winter and she ice skated in it. Oh it is always so moving to be at the theater where Emily first came to work in Vermont

Emily and I are working on a project with a man named Jonathan Berger. He met the theater when he was 15 when he volunteered for one of their shows in New York City. He’s all grown up now and presently works as a professor of art at NYU and acts as a curator of their gallery at Washington Square Park.  I am so glad our interesting work is on his radar.

Mark and Jonathan at NYU

The project will be an exhibit about extraordinary work partners. I would like you to know this will give us amazing exposure and it will celebrate the power of love. Jonathan’s focus is not on romantic love but the other forms of it along with their equally transformative powers.

Please stay tuned for more.

I hope you have welcomed in October with a smile.

Fondly

Mark   

“I am quite delighted that I will be a veteran now of performing in this location of history for the theater world.”
– Mark Utter, Bread and Puppet, September 28, 2014