Thoughts From Dr. Joe by Dr. Joe Puglia

The Wild, Wild West

I walked into Suzie Johnson’s house last Saturday morning, sent by Kaitzer to pick up decorations that Suzie’s husband, Jack, had made for the Juniors’ “Wild Wild West” event . The La Cañada Junior Wo-men’s Club was coming together for its annual fundraiser to be held that night at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

Thinking that this would be a routine mission, I wanted to get in, get out, and get on with my day. I had no idea what I would find. The best discoveries evolve subtly; you just stumble upon them. And I had stumbled upon ‘something.’

So I walk into Suzie’s house. Bam! There must have been about 20 women there wrapping packages, tying ribbons, preparing gifts, making cards, decorating bags, and you name it. My initial inclination was to hightail it outta there. A guy of my checkered past is always very wary about being around too many women.

But what I saw made me want to stay. I’ve always been one to observe. I like to watch, a skill honed by staring mindlessly at too many ridge lines in too many jungles. I saw motion, people enveloped in conscientious effort moving in tangent and yet together accomplishing a mission. Beyond this motion, I saw a spirit of togetherness. These women were in sync, coming together for something greater than them. This was their event and they owned it.

Needless to say, I was consumed by their spirit, enthusiasm, and teamwork and at once I wanted to be a part of their great devotion. I think Jack felt the same way.

I remember when Kaitzer joined the Juniors. One evening, she says, “Can you watch the girls tonight? I have a meeting.” “No problem! I got nothing else to do except grade papers, prepare lesson plans, and read about a 100 pages.” (I didn’t really say that, just thought it.)

Well, a few hours later, she returns and says, “I just joined the Juniors; and then quickly disappeared to check on Sabine and Simone. (Why do women do that? It’s not as though, with her gone, I’d sell them into slavery.)

So I’m thinking to myself, “The Juniors, what’s the Juniors?” Could it be Danny and the Juniors, a ‘60s rock band from Philadelphia? “Nooooo, it’s either a women’s softball team or bowling league.” With a befuddled expression, I thought, “After all these years of marriage, I find out that Kaitzer likes bowling (Oy Vey)!”

So after she discovers that Sabine and Simone are still in the house and that I had not sold them into slavery, she casually mentions, “The Juniors are a service club. They provide service to others by raising money for various organizations and perform service projects throughout the community.” “Huh,” I said.

Last Saturday night, the Juniors stepped up to the plate and put ‘it’ in the nickel seats with their “Wild Wild West” fund raiser. Co-chairs Jill Sayer and Suzie Johnson, along with the membership, created an eloquent, exciting, fun, and meaningful event. It was a blast!

The Juniors focused their support on three separate charities: the Rheumatic Arthritis Children’s Foundation; Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation; and Teen Impact, a support group for helping teenagers deal with cancer. The Junior’s impact children not only from the greater Los Angeles area, but also from La Cañada.

I’ve never been a joiner. I wouldn’t want to be part of any organization that would have me as a member. However, after what I saw on Saturday, I realized that the Juniors share something very special. I struggled to understand what I observed. Was it the sheer joy of working together? Was it the bond formed through connection and involvement? Or was it making a contribution. Yes it was!

My struggle to comprehend what I saw ended during the DJ’s first song, Shania Twain’s “Man! I feel Like a Woman.” The song began, the music blared, and the Juniors - the ladies - got up and danced just like there was nobody watching. That’s it, Fort Pitt! A picture is worth a thousand words; you would have had to see it.

Kaitzer, as the group’s president, gave an extemporaneous welcome and brought the evening to where it was supposed to be by quoting Winston Churchill. “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give!

Ya know something? I like the way these Juniors did it?together!