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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
HIS BROTHER’S KEEPER
“He drove that VW Microbus with “Love is progress—hate is expensive” painted on the back from St. Johns Island to Charlotte.” Grandma Selma’s dark cheeks shone. “Thanks to him I earned three diplomas.”
“Who?” asked Tanisha.
“Who indeed? Girl, he should be in your history books. When he was just a little boy, he had to quit school after the 4th grade, but he still found ways to further his education. And then made sure us kids did the same. Took us to school or anywhere else we needed to go. Esau Jenkins was the wheels beneath our wings.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Great slogan. I was wondering if it wouldn’t read better as “Love is Free, Hate is Expensive”. Must be the editor in me, Too late to change it now, I guess
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Dear Neil,
A little late indeed. 😉 Perhaps you can talk to the people who have it displayed at the Smithsonian. Thank you for driving by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for sharing another precious nugget of history with us.
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Dear Sheena,
Always my pleasure to share. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i like ‘wheels beneath the wings’.
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Thank you, Reena. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s amazing what can be achieved with determination. I think society likes telling people “what they can’t do” to discourage people from trying.
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Dear Tanille,
Thank goodness there were people like Mr. Jenkins who didn’t accept those parameters. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great way to garner support for the scholarship fund.
Inspiring story.
Am sure many were beneficiaries.
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Thank you, Anita.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely phrase, wheels beneath our wings. And an absorbing tale. Well done, as ever.
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Dear Sandra,
I’m particularly pleased with that last line. 😉 Thank you for your affirming comments. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful person behind that great phrase. Another great story about a person who needs to be remembered.
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Dear Trent,
There are good things and people in history who’ve sadly fallen throught the cracks. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great history lesson. You always educate us in one way or another.
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Dear Jan,
I do my best. 😉 Thanks, m’luv.
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Rochelle,
From such selfless love and service are lives changed for the better. Wonderful to remember such “ordinary” extraordinary men and women: thank you for this bit of inspirational history.
pax,
dora
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Dear Dora,
He and his wife Janie were people who took their faith on the road. It was my pleasure to find and share the story. Definitely worthy of more than 100 words. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What lovely memories and drive to do good. Well done.
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Thank you, Mason. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Gotta love a story like this. You do such a good job of bringing us inspiring stories of real people who make a difference!
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Dear Linda,
When I find them on the research road I gotta share ’em. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
You have a wonderful knack of bringing history and lesser-known people to life. Wonderful!
Shalom and lotsa progressive love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
It seems I got caught in bumper to bumper traffic when it came to replying to my comments this week. Thank you for your sweet comments. You know me, when I find them on the research trail, I havta share ’em.
Shalom and lotsa hugs along the highway,
Rochelle
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Don’t you worry. I just went through my own comment section and found 6 that I hadn’t seen or responded to! They were tucked between others that I had. Sometimes the notification pane is not so trustworthy.
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And I just found your reply in my trash folder. Sheesh.
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Of course. I used my phone. Like now. So you’ll be retrieving this, too!
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Yep. 😉
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There is no winning. Even though I had to sign in!!
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SMH
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I love this story, Rochelle! Great photos too.
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Many thanks, Josh. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Each week when I visit your post I wonder who I’m going to learn about that day!
An inspirational person who deserves to be remembered.
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Dear Keith,
I’m so glad you feel that way. So many people in history who quietly made a difference. So little time to find and share them. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He sounds like quite a guy!
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He does, doesn’t he, Liz? Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This past year has made me think of the wisdom of this statement. I wish more people would take it to heart and it might be harder in the short term but so beneficial for everyone in the long run. Thanks for sharing this story.
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Dear Anne,
A lot of energy that could go to productive things is wasted with hate. Then there are the Esau Jenkins of the world who quietly go about spreading love. Oh for more of them. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Like this…wheels beneath our wings. Another wonderful story, as is the norm from you.
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Dear Neel,
I’m particularly happy with that line. Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My old mentor, who is one of the many passed due to the pandemic, would have called him an angel with skin. Heart-warming story.
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Dear Lisa,
So sorry to hear of your mentor. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thank you very much. You’re welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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My Daddy had to quit school when he was 12 cause his Daddy was killed in a car accident. My mom dropped out of high school because she couldn’t read, 4yrs in 9th grade. My gran had to drop out of school when she got pregnant with mom. I graduated high school went on to comm. College….had the accident from helle and had to do it all again. Didn’t read the second time had to drop out for finances… But I never stopped learning whatever I can whenever I can. My hubby is the wind under my wings… He’s in hospital right now… So I’m giving the wind back.
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Dear Bear,
I’m happy to hear that Hubby’s doing better. I’m still sending prayers. Thank you for that message…never give up. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great concluding sentence, “Esau Jenkins was the wheels beneath our wings.” You tell us so many inspiring stories, and this is one of the most uplifting.
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Dear Penny,
Thank you re my sentence and my story. He was truly a man who should be remembered. I didn’t have enough words to flesh out the story of how his wife was his partner and should also be honored.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This was truly an inspiring story about Esau Jenkins, another unsung hero. Thanks for sharing.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
History is full of heroes who slipped through the cracks, isn’t it? Always my pleasure to share them when I find them. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a dude this chap Esau was. Thanks for teaching me about this chap Rochelle
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Dear Shrawley,
It’s always my pleasure to find them and share. them. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“Love is progress-hate is expensive.”
No truer words than this. A very wise man was Mr Esau Jenkins. An inspiring story, Rochelle.
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Many thanks, Subroto. He was a man to remember.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When I taught history, I tried to make it live and breath in the minds of my students. The stories you share each week are the sort of historical vignettes that inspire people to learn more about their and other’s pasts. That history is not dull and boring. Nor, thankfully, is it just about “dead white men” any more. The doors to the archives have been thrown open – the digital age means access to so much about the past. And, folks are mining history for those whose voices never made it in to the written historical records. Thank you for doing the same.
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Dear Lorraine,
Your comments make my heart soar. I had a couple of teachers who made history live and breathe, but for the most part, I never cared for history in school. Thank you so much for your affirming words. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“Love is progress—hate is expensive”
This is a motto everyone should contemplate and live by, then we’d get rid of all our problems.
A wonderful story that just shows how you can move and shake things even when you’re not on the top.
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Oh, and I still think that many more people should read your stories… Published? 🙂
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Dear Gabi,
I have yet to have these stories published other than online here in Purpleville. Thank you so much for your affirming comments. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another quiet hero, Rochelle. Thank you.
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Thank you, Jen.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He’s truly one of those who ‘make’ history. Imagine how many people have benefitted down the line just because these kids were educated.
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Dear Beradette,
No doubt the Jenkins’ mark on history had a ripple effect. We may never know the scope of their influence. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i salute people like him. they make this world a better place.
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I agree, Plaridel. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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‘Esau Jenkins was the wheels beneath our wings.’ What a wonderful sentence. And what a wonderful man. Thanks for another inspirational person, Rochelle.
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Dear Jenne,
Thank you so much for your lovely and affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Betsy Ross W(T)F,
I guess this explains how you got tuition for Walla Walla Bing Bang. I can just see you riding on the bench seat, your little feet dangling six inches off the floor.
A van would be a handy thing to have with all the art shows you’re going to. I can ask Tom if he’d be willing to part with the one in the photo. He’d probably throw in the vines for a paltry $200 extra.
Happy Trails,
Paul (Not So) Revered
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Dear Paul (Not So) Revered,
Tom can keep his van. But thank you for the suggestion. I shall file it in my invisible box.
Shalom,
Betsy Ross W(T)F
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What an uplifting piece. Thanks for the lift.
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My pleasure, Athling. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love indeed IS progress.
And, while I know others have suggested that it is free. I don’t know that it always is. It is always worth the expense, though.
Hate never is.
Lovely story! Thank you Rochelle!
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Once more I’m late getting around to replying to comments. At any rate, like freedom, love isn’t always free. It often comes at great expense to the giver. Definitely worth the expense. Hate is wasted energy. Thank you! 😀
Shalom and may the 4th be with you,
Rochelle
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Yes and yes and yes …!
Happy fourth! 🙂
Na’ama
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A real inspiration.
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Thank you, Ali.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So many gifted individuals work hard to make society a better place, it is important that we recall that.
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Dear Michael,
It is important to remember. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story!
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Thank you, Sascha! 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another informatie piece, Rochelle, thank you. I particularly like the slogan, probably because I haven’t heard it before and it doesn’t have the dilution of overuse.
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Dear Michael,
The slogan was new to me, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an amazing message.
Oh and I love that froggy picture! 🤣
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Thank you, Laurie. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for shining a light on Esau Jenkins, such a positive person. I love the phrase ‘wheels beneath our wings’ – sums it up perfectly.
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Dear Francine,
I was particularly pleased with myself on that line. 😀 Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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