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Light a Candle
James Allen Helpling was born in Pensacola Florida in 1938, into a Navy family. After years of moving to various locations they settled in Imperial Beach, California. After 10 years in the Catholic school system, James, who preferred to be called Jim, was able to spend his last two years at Mar Vista High School. He graduated in 1956, and attended City Collage while earning an AA Degree in Mechanical Drafting. Jim chronicled his life experiences in poignant and touching words that reveal a tender heart, going through the world finding love and adventure along the way. This collection of poetry is a reflection on life, love, change, and a passionate soul. Jim has had many loves: children, relationships, soul mates, and finally his loving wife Avelina. She was always called Leng by her family and many friends, and was born in the Philippines. Jim always loved nature and all it had to offer. He was very shy from his upbringing with strict parents and so much time spent in various small Catholic schools. He enjoyed motorcycles after High School and is an avid off-road enthusiast. He worked for forty years in Federal Civil Service as an Electronic Technician and then in Avionics Logistics, and retired in 2005. Jim also served in the California National Guard for six years. He took a three year leave of absence from the government in the early 1970’s and moved to Colorado, where he had a three story house built in the mountains west of Loveland. Jim then returned to Imperial Beach and back to his job at North Island. After retirement he moved to Norman, Oklahoma with Avelina for six years. While living there, they purchased 40 acres North of Trinidad, Colorado and had a small solitary cabin in the woods as an occasional place to experience nature in a yet undisturbed environment. He had a passion for the Anza Borrego Desert, where you could often find him. The combination of a spirit that feels all things deeply, and a drive to experience every new thing in life, gave Jim the talent and insight to create and share his words and poetry. At the time of this writing, he remains active with the always evolving home improvements and desert vehicle projects. We hope you enjoy his words and thoughts as all of our lives change and evolve, endured with the resilience of the human spirit. Only love is real! Jim’s daughter, Susie Helpling Burnett (2021)
