Jerry shared with me many writings during our year or two of visits. He had gotten these through Alcoholic Anonymous and elsewhere. One of them stood out, The Symptoms of Inner Peace. He gave me a copy after I asked for one. The truth is . . . I believe Jerry accessed peace in the middle of the storm. God became big enough in Jerry’s mind for him to deal with every problem that came his way–and somehow without a buildup of resentment. Amazingly, I can confidently say Jerry lived the words of Symptoms of Inner Peace.

Inner peace speaks life to the soul. You know you have it when your thoughts and wishes have changed from being me-focused and having to be right all the time, to other-focused and being okay with what is. Inner transformation changes the way you live your life. Perspective informs a lifestyle.

Symptoms of Inner Peace

1.  A tendency to think and act deliberately, rather than from fears based on past experiences.
2.  An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
3.  A loss of interest in judging others.
4.  A loss of interest in judging self.
5.  A loss of interest in conflict.
6.  A loss of interest in interpreting the action of others.
7.  A loss of ability to worry.
8.  Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
9.  Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
10.  Frequent attacks of smiling through the heart.
11.  Increasing susceptibility to kindness offered, and the uncontrollable urge to reciprocate.
12. An increasing tendency to allow things to unfold, rather than resisting and manipulating.

You are fortunate if you have peace like that. Real peace doesn’t allow for comparisons or resentments to grow and fester. I have noticed when I walk in close relationship with God, I am more like the words in the writing. Things don’t bother me as much. They simply don’t matter. I can let them go because I mentally ‘will’ to release them. Some play out like an automatic response.

The Rest of the Story

The oncology ward at the local hospital housed my last visit with Jerry. It was a private visit, just him and me. He was quite thin and was recuperating from cancer surgery. The prognosis was not encouraging. He was given months to a year. Sadly, he had just weeks.

Jerry wanted to know about me, how I was doing. We hadn’t talked since he’d married. I shared with him how I had given a talk about my life in church and how it had been recorded. He wanted a copy. That never happened. However, his affirming and encouraging words meant a lot to me. Jerry truly was a dear soul. These days I meet with his youngest daughter whenever we can manage it. His love flows in my niece’s veins. She honors me with her love.

I am thankful for the blessings I received via my friendship with Jerry. He lived serenity. Peace ruled his life in a life-giving sense. I think it worked that way for him because peace links to the spiritual side of things. Jerry apprehended that something extra special in his last years. A frequent saying of his was referring to himself as “Jer Dog,” and he even had the T shirt. He said the “Dog” part was God spelled backwards, because God was important in his life. Always the optimist. Although never a church-going person nor well acquainted with deeper spiritual truths, I believe Jerry’s faith was a very real part of who he was.

Jerry greeted everyone with a smile and was always glad to see you. He is missed by all who knew him. The Serenity Prayer, The Twelve Steps, Symptoms of Peace, and Jer Dog, will for forevermore speak of Jerry in my thoughts.

R.I.P. Jerry Dean

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