Monday, August 31, 2009

Wedding Travel, Kennan DeWitt

As the three energetic children scaled the car seats to find their places in the highway hotrod, we filled cargo to capacity. The cats and fish were fed and the house secured. The weather was sunny and windy, an ideal travel day. She drove the first shift and I read. I drove and she read to me from her latest novel intrigue. Three hours flew by and we were headed for the pool. The almost 3 year olds quickly developed a healthy dread of the water, but then splashed about in their floaties. Our 6 year old could not be contained and practiced the front crawl, or front paddle. The chlorine was pugent and the youngsters shivered. Dinner was fabulous mexican nearby. A plastic ball game in the hotel was the evening highlight. The kids slept soundly.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Finding Meaning, Kennan DeWitt

Dear Friends: Finding meaning in one's therapeutic work with clients on a daily basis can be challenging. Beyond the technical content of what a client reveals is the richer meaning of their experience. Reflective and active listening skills are essential. Attention to a client's non-verbal signs is instructive. Listening often requires not talking despite impulse to the contrary. Their "richer meaning" can be gleaned from their story or narrative, which is neither right nor wrong. One's perspective is not tested for accuracy, but may be open to adjustment. Placing ourselves in the client's shoes lends appreciation of their experience. Accurate reflection and genuine empathy form a connection with our client and the foundation for therapeutic change

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Advocate for the People, Kennan DeWitt

Woman gets jail in death of man

Publication: Flint Journal, The (MI)
Edition: THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Date: July 26, 2007
Page: A04
Record Id: 0414884064
Author: Paul Janczewski pjanczewski@flintjournal.com * 810.766.6333

A Flint woman who was sent to prison in June for the stabbing death of her mother's boyfriend was recently resentenced to jail and probation. Genesee Circuit Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut told Tanjermeeka M. Jones, 21, of Mt. Morris, he was not able to sentence her to prison even though "you killed a man and you deserve to go to prison for that." He then sentenced Jones to 1 year in the Genesee County Jail, 5 years' probation.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Sunday Celebration, Kennan DeWitt

Friends: A great day is planned. We started with breakfast muffins and rich coffee. We attended church. Lunch will be at a place with a kid play area. We will travel to mid state to meet with more family members. We are celebrating our anniversary.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Kids on Saturday, Kennan DeWitt, Attorney

Saturday with the kids was eventful. We went to Tim's for coffee and bagels. We plannned the day over breakfast, our daily routine. We played in the yard and livingroom. A smooth transition into nap time. The rain began to threaten, but gardening awaited. The veggies were all green and too small to harvest. They continue to thrive. The kids did not mind the clouds.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Look Inward, Kennan M. DeWitt

A wise philosopher therapist once said (loosely translated): "Do not project onto others that which you grapple with in your own life and relationships. Instead look within for the source of your pain. Do not pass judgment upon she whom you do not understand. Do not presume to know the truth, it is often otherwise." All is well in the world. Good day.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Kennan DeWitt, Author

Friends: I submitted a three minute, 600 word, essay to NPR yesterday. Interesting challenge. The process was fun, they supplied the first sentence, and I was reminded of my interest in creative writing. It was certainly creative. Writing can be highly therapeutic.

Midland County Fair, Kennan DeWitt

Friends: We went to the Midland County Fair, a great place for the family. We browsed through the vender tents, consumed greasy pizza, toured nice 4 H kid displays, and saw a ton of small and large animals. The kids loved the animals, we did as well.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Kennan DeWitt, Veggie Plants

The peppers are turning orange, the squash is flowering, the tomatoes climbing and sagging, and the cabbage is expanding beyond the garden. Can't wait to harvest with the kids.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Kennan DeWitt, Kids.

Friends: The kids were so full of energy tonight. Before and after dinner, they ran through the house, bounced those big plastic balls and made alot of kid noise. They really liven up the place

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Kennan M DeWitt, visit to Mom's

Friends: Visiting Mom at the nursing home was pleasant, but sad. Her stay should be brief. The kids ran through the hall in search of grandma. She had just ordered her lunch in the fancy dining room. We decided to grab lunch and come back. We sat on the swing in the patio and shared with her pictures of our latest trip. She was brightened by our visit, especially the kids, but lasted only 30 minutes. Her greatest measure of wellness is her sense of humor, which was plentiful. We said goodbye after planning a Sunday outing to Sunday Mass at St. Mary's and lunch in Royal Oak.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Kennan M. DeWitt, Assistant Prosecutor (Ret.)

Woman gets jail in death of man

Publication: Flint Journal, The (MI)
Edition: THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Date: July 26, 2007
Page: A04
Record Id: 0414884064
Author: Paul Janczewski pjanczewski@flintjournal.com * 810.766.6333

A Flint woman who was sent to prison in June for the stabbing death of her mother's boyfriend was recently resentenced to jail and probation. Genesee Circuit Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut told Tanjermeeka M. Jones, 21, of Mt. Morris, he was not able to sentence her to prison even though "you killed a man and you deserve to go to prison for that." He then sentenced Jones to 1 year in the Genesee County Jail, 5 years' probation and

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Kennan DeWitt, Legal and Mental Health Advocate, Career

CONVICTION IN CROSS BURNING BRINGS RELIEF

Publication: Flint Journal, The (MI)
Edition: FIRST
Date: January 10, 1996
Page: D1*
Record Id: 0349848846
Author: Ken Palmer JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

For more than a year after vandals burned crosses in her Flint Township yard, Sheryal A. Garrison watched as criminal charges were brought and then dropped against several neighborhood teen-agers. On Tuesday, Garrison finally saw results from the difficult investigation. "I think more could have been done, but what can I do?" she said, moments after a neighbor was convicted in the incident. "(But) after a year of losing all that

Career Assistant Prosecutor Kennan DeWitt (Ret.),

MAN COULD FACE LIFE IN WOMAN'S SLAYING

Publication: Flint Journal, The (MI)
Edition: FIRST
Date: January 20, 1996
Page: C1
Record Id: 0349847177
Author: Ken Palmer JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A Flint man could spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury Friday convicted him of murdering his girlfriend in a prolonged assault last February. Victor Hunter, 59, showed no reaction as a Genesee County Circuit Court jury found him guilty of second-degree murder. He could face up to life in prison when he goes before Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut for sentencing on Feb. 28. Hunter was charged in the bludgeoning death of Jeanne Moore, 48, whose nude,

kennan M. DeWitt, Career

TEEN KILLER A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN CHAPLAIN SAYS

Publication: Flint Journal, The (MI)
Edition: FIRST
Date: November 23, 1996
Page: C1
Record Id: 0349920021
Author: Paul Janczewski JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Patrick N. Kinney cried Friday as a Genesee County Jail chaplain described the teen as a born-again Christian who has great remorse for his role in the 1995 stabbing death of Flint teen-ager Michael Melfi. Chaplain William D. Hart testified about Kinney during a Circuit Court hearing to determine whether the 17-year-old should be sentenced as an adult or juvenile in the death of Melfi, 16. After testimony Friday, the hearing was adjourned until Dec. 10. Melfi was found in