More about When God Winked

When God Winked is a true story divided into three parts. 

Part One tells about the mysterious way I came to work at the Center.  Meeting Janet Pomeroy and her declaration that "God had sent me!"  Trying to understand the miracles that occurred around Janet and this San Francisco institution called the Center.

Part Two is an attempt to describe the unusual individuals that are participants at the Center.  Or, what its like to work in a place I call Heaven.  It took me years to give up my ways of thinking and just listen to Joey who speaks in grunts or Michael who yelps like Elvis.  To pay attention to Annie, a woman that thinks she is God.  Or Gary, a man afraid of everything.  To relish the kissing fetish of the Pope and consider Vanishing Man to be a living Buddha.  For years I tried to change them--make them like me.  In the end it was me who was changed.

Part Three is about leaving Heaven.  Not wanting to go.  But it is time.  I am old.  Starting to think in reverse.  Trying to remember it all.  The sparkling moments.  Miracles  The struggle with Janet and her God.  What was it all about?  Why is heaven being dismantled?  Who do I blame?  What do I do?

The Political/Social Implications of When God Winked

We live in a time of Religious Fascism.  And like a time in Nazi Germany, the disabled and weak are the first to suffer.  The participants of The Center, people I have known for 30 years are systematically being denied the means to survive and live meaningful lives.  It is happening very quickly.  Those less fortunate in our society are endangered by our way of life. 

The enemy-
"Perhaps its all of us.  Our
consumptive ways.  Be all that
you can be - join the Army.
All in the name of Happy Village
and a place to park your SUV.

There is this divisiveness taking place
This separation
We're being driven apart
Learning to hate again
hate ourselves.
Driven by fear
We're afraid to place our hand
in the air
in salutation
or in protest.

So we look away
Where we cannot see
or feel
what is around us.

There is just the weight of it
the disappointment
inability to dream or act

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF EVIDENT
lost in a digital blur
of sex
violence
Shopping at Walmart
say Hallelujah
Amen

and
Thank you Jesus

So we live in a time of numbness.  The latest technical distraction and ever present car rage.  Fear your neighbor and now the weather.   "Our Gods' better than your God!"  And we have the bombs to prove it.

Its not a time be worried about the disabled at the Center.  Angels are being driven into darkness.  Those gentle souls that taught me to pay attention to things that move slow - kindness and generosity.  Angels that live without racism or prejudice.  That have faith in themselves and being apart of a caring community.  Joyful.  Playful  In love with life.

Heaven like everything else is FOR RENT.  Angels at the Center are being disposed of.  Hope and faith in mankind is being slaughtered.  All in the name of God.

About the Author

Ron Jones is a grandparent, author, and for the past 30 years has worked at the Janet Pomeroy Center (formerly known at the Recreation Center for the Handicapped).  Three of his books The Acorn People, The Wave and B-Ball have been made into television dramas.  A book about Mt. Zion's Psychiatric ward Kids Called Crazy was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.  And Say Ray was honored as the American Book of the Year.  His story about a classroom experiment in Fascism, The Wave is printed in nine languages and is required reading in German schools.

Six years ago, Ron took the stage to tell his unusual stories.  Buddha Blues and Say Ray have appeared at the Marsh Theater directed by David Ford.

Working with Dirk Dirksin and Damon Molloy, Ron has assembled his stories into "Storytelling Videos."  These unique 1/2 VHS video blend spoken word, jazz, images from home movies, still photos, and original art into a creative statement.  More about Videos