06/13/2026
I had a most excellent time at the Omaha Potter Faire this year. Sold plenty of wands, made some new friends and saw some old friends, one in particular...Jake. This is a picture of Jake in 2025, holding the Elder Wand he had won by winning the challenge I tasked him with. He had just started reading the Harry Potter series of books and I challenged him to finish reading them in a set period of time. As you can see by the picture, he won my challenge.
When he showed up this year to see me, I would learn that Jake was going blind. He could still see some but, I believe they said it was progressive and he would lose his sight entirely. I was completely inspired and impressed by this boy who seemed to be taking it in stride, learning braille and talking about the books he was already reading and ones he planned to read. I suggested one of my own favorites, The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone, a story about Michelangelo, the painting of the Sistine Chapel and his relationship with the Pope.
We got to chat for a long while and and I was so impressed with this young man's attitude, his acceptance of what was happening to him and his determination to overcome it.
