The Web page of Joe

This is a collection of Joe P Gimenez writings

Some background

Joe Gimenez as he is known and Pat as he is known to others.

Is a true Islander from the island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

These writings will show you his true to life side .


JPG Story

The man on the hill©


 

There was once a man who lived in a very large house on top of a hill. Each day he would look out from his balcony and see the city far below.  It was a very vibrant city with lots of cars, people and noise. It was also a very colorful city as people dressed in their finest arrays and went about the business of making a living. Each day the man would look out over the city, he didn’t work because he was very wealthy. There was only one problem. He had wealth, a large home but he had no friends and he was crippled.  Each day he would watch the school children head down the hill to school and it brought back memories of better times of when he was young, good looking, and very smart.  He would play all sort of sports, had plenty of pretty girls to date but never had the time to get serious and marry. So as the years went by and he grew older and wealthier he felt he didn’t need anything else.

Now you are probably wondering how he became crippled? Well it was a regular day, sunshine, blue skies and birds. He was driving home and a large Fedex Truck ran a stop sign, and plowed into the driver’s side of his car. He was pinned in the car and it took several hours to free him and get him to the hospital. He layed in a comma for a week and when he finally came to the doctor arrived at his bed side and gave him the bad news. He told him that the wreck had crushed his legs and he was paralyzed from the waist down and would never walk again.  After a month in the hospital, he was released. He decided to buy the house on the hill because he could no longer go to town but could at least watch it from a distance.  He was all alone in his big house and regretted not getting married when he had the opportunity. 

All he could do is go on his balcony and watch the world go by.  That’s the way with life sometimes. If you don’t get in the game, it will be over before you know it and you will regret not playing your part. 

Now fortunately for this man there was a widow not far from where he lived. She didn’t have a fancy house like his or much money, but boy was she good looking and could cook up a meal fit for a king. She saw the man from time to time as she went to town and wondered why he never left his house.

One day she decided to stop in and visit him. He was very surprised and happy to have a visitor. They talked about the town, their past lives and he found out she was a widower. He asked if she would mind coming by again sometime so they can talk some more since no one else ever visited.  She agreed since she had plenty of time on her hands. About a week later she stopped by again and this time brought the man whose name was Jack, some homemade bread, soup and a bottle of wine.  He was really impressed by the food and her dress. They chatted for a couple hours as he ate the soup and when he was full, he thanked her. As darkness began to fall, she told him she must go.

It had only been a couple times they had met but he had been smitten by her and it made him sad that she had to leave. She promised to stop by again soon.  As the days passed Jack grew impatient for her visit and could hardly contain himself. He looked over his balcony each day in anticipation but no Stephanie (which was her name) came by. As it became 2 weeks, he thought to himself that Stephanie would not show up but lo and behold he looked over the balcony and there she was coming up the road.

She looked as beautiful as ever. He met her at the door and felt as though part of him had returned. They talked for some time and Jack could not hold back his speech and told her that he loved her and appreciated her coming by to visit. Stephanie didn’t know what to say since they had only seen each other a few times. His physical problems didn’t matter to her, for she saw the inside of Jack which was beautiful.  Stephanie told jack she really enjoyed talking with him for he was very interesting. 

As evening fell and Stephanie started to leave, Jack took her hand and looked into her eyes. Right there and then He knew he had to have her for his wife. Stephanie, Jack said. I know you don’t know me very well, but I do love you and will make you a good husband if you will have me. Stephanie got a tear in her eye as she heard his words and a passion arose in her heart. Bending down to jack she kissed him and told him she too did love him and would be his wife. Jack was so overcome that he almost fell out his wheelchair. Stephanie left a while later and the next day returned early to see jack.

They made their wedding plans and the preacher came to the house. Stephanie and Jack spent many a night on the balcony but it was different this time. Jack had regained his happiness, He had someone that loved him for him and no longer would he be alone. They were married for a long time never regretted one moment from then on.