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Guestvision...
The Visions of The Fans!

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Guestvision By: Jennifer L. Rowland

I'm not quite sure why this should precipitate my first attempt at a GuestVision, but I've just returned from the wake for a friend's father.   There seems to be a very heartwarming trend at wakes and funerals now to lean more towards a celebration of the departed's life, which is truly what it should all be about.   There were two boards lovingly displaying photographs from throughout Mr. Lenny's life, illustrating the joie de vivre and happiness he brought to his family and to this world.  In a corner of the room, a projector ran a CD loop of selected photographs from the board, set to the song "When You're Young at Heart."

I must confess I only had the chance to interact with Mr. Lenny at two different Halloween parties hosted by his daughter and son-in-law.  But in those brief encounters, he made an impact on me.  His kindness, his humor, his instant embrace of taking you into his heart and family.  I was instantly "sweetheart," and "darling," and was greeted with a hug and a kiss.  Any friend of his children's was automatically a friend of his.  The world has lost a dear, special man.

The thing is, you never know what sort of impact you're having on someone else in ANY interaction with them, however brief.  You never know how your smile could be just the thing a stranger needs to see, how a card sent on the spur of the moment can brighten a friend's day.  You never know what sort of "heartprints" you're leaving behind, to quote an oft-forwarded e-mail sentiment.

I've always thought that what drew me to Quantum Leap was more than just the great stories, the interesting premise.  It was more than just the wonderful chemistry between Sam and Al, and by extension Scott and Dean.  It was the underlying and abiding faith and heart to the show.  How one little thing (or one big thing) done by Sam could so profoundly affect the lives of strangers, and for the better.  As Al joked in one episode, Sam and Al  were "God's clean-up crew"--fulfilling a greater Purpose and touching lives.  This is what continues to sustain my interest and devotion.

Consider the heartprints Sam has left behind, without knowing it, without receiving the credit for it.  Look beyond the major changes of lives saved, destinies altered.   Look smaller, at the little things that can be held within the confines of the human heart.  The kind word spoken that originally was never heard.  The faith placed in those others would consider a lost cause.  The sense that there are things in this world worth fighting for, if you'll excuse the brief citation of a different Sam's speech.  Consider the heartprints Al has left behind.  The sacrifices made for a friend.  The tenderness shown to small children.  The steadfast devotion to a friend.

We all leave heartprints behind us as we pass through this life.  Some of you who may be reading this have left heartprints of your own in my heart.  And together as fans of Quantum Leap, we share the heartprints that a truly magical series immortalized in film for us.  May we ever be conscious of living a life of faith and heart, and may all the heartprints we leave be strong and lasting.

~JLR

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