Letter to Michael J. Fox from Chef John the Ghetto Gourmet Show aka THOR

I am handicapped. I learned a lot over the last three years, teaching myself to walk, running 4,000 miles, learning to live and laugh at my disability. I am now realizing there isn’t much I can’t do if given a shot. I might not be at 100% but my 60% is pretty darn good and if you add a smile well as said by Jimmy Stewart in the movie Harvey, “You can be smart or pleasant and I choose to be pleasant.” I find the human condition of suffering one of the most enlightening experiences of my life time. Love got to come from inside as well as out, and that’s why I “Shine’ just as much as I can.

This little boy of three in our apartment had this thing about not paying attention, or switching his attention quickly and being herded by mom who also had his older brother a runner along made simple transits up or down the stairs. This day he was coming up the stairs very intent on eating a peach as he slowly step by step took the stairs and he being my buddy I said, “Hello”. That’s all it took and backwards he went. I dove the seven feet, and then reaching out one hand and caught him just he was about to tumble the whole stairs head first. He exclaimed, “Get my peach!” for in my catching him and his surprise he lost his peach over his shoulder. It was for most in his mind, the joy of life, innocence. I realize we lose our innocence the reality of that innocence is returned during suffering, and that is an amazing and powerful gift. To be able to give a window of it to others noble in intent, and is working. Eventually even after another saving grab by me. The little boy almost four now came home with a caste on his arm, gravity finally got him but he still had a lot of innocence left, and always a smile and talk for me. That little moment where the peach was everything I think that’s what I strive for every day.

Chef John Ernst AKA Thor

We the little people talk about you Mike, you empower us.