Ok.
I haven't been updating.
I have been lax in keeping this going.
The natives are getting restless.
So here I am.
I have been a lil distracted I guess. I haven't posted here since mid-May. Its not that I don't have anything new to say, I've just been too lazy to say it in text.
Well, too lazy to post anything here I mean.
What have I been doing? Well, let's see...
I've been working. And exercising. And dieting. Writing poetry and other musings. Talking to friends online and sharing the joys and pains of their lives. I left one chatroom and started another. I went on vacation. Worked some more. Exercised and dieted some more. I Started taking a class on Mondays. I Had a couple deaths in my family. I celebrated my 45th birthday September 24th. Started looking for a new house. And most of all, I've been trying to be a good daddy.
I guess I've been a lil busy.
Sowwy.
But, its nice to know that people actually appreciate what I have to say here.
I tell you what.
I will start jotting down my jumble of ideas, assemble them into some coherent semblance of intelligent thought, and post each subject here in the coming weeks.
I was supposed to do that this past week, seeing how I was off work and had plenty of time to do it.
But....
During my off week my favorite baseball team decided they would make a run for the title of champions, and went on a tear not seen in these parts in, oh i dunno, 88 years?
Congrats and big ups to the Chicago White Sox. World Series Champions.
Ahhhhhhh.....that felt good.
Anyways.
I will post more soon.
Seeya.
Or as they say in the 'hood:
I'll holla...
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
The Most Beautiful Heart
(Reprinted from a flyer sent out by my union's chaplain)
One day a young man was standing in the middle of town proclaiming he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A very large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart, for it was perfect - there was not a mark or flaw in it. Yes, after viewing it they all agreed it was truly the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was proud and began to boast even more loudly about his beautiful heart.
Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said "Why, your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." The crowd joined the young man as he looked at the old man's heart. It was beating strongly, but full of scars. It had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but because the pieces didn't quite fit there were several jagged edges to be seen. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces of the old man's heart were missing. The people stared. They thought "How can this old man say his disfigured heart is the most beautiful?" After seeing the condition of the old man's heart the young man laughed and said "You must be joking. Your heart doesn't compare with mine! My heart is perfect, and yours is just a mess of scars and tears."
"Yes," said the old man, "your heart looks perfect but I would never trade mine for yours. Every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them. Often they give me a piece of their heart in return which I fit into the empty space in my heart - but because the pieces aren't an exact fit I end up with rough edges, which I cherish because they remind me of the love we shared. The empty gouges you see represent the pieces of my heart that I've given away without the other person giving a piece of their heart in return - but that is the nature of love: giving unselfishly and taking the chance that no love will be given in return. These gouges are the most painful. They stay open to remind me of the love I have for these people, and in hope that someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. Now, do you see what true beauty is?"
The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The old man placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his own old scarred heart and placed it into the wound in the young man's heart. The piece fit, but there were some jagged edges.
The young man looked at his heart - not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever since love from the old man's heart flowed into his. They embraced and walked away side by side.
(Love means giving unselfishly, not expecting reward or acclaim but because it is the right thing to do. The person who is unafraid to love has the most beautiful heart of all....)
One day a young man was standing in the middle of town proclaiming he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A very large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart, for it was perfect - there was not a mark or flaw in it. Yes, after viewing it they all agreed it was truly the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was proud and began to boast even more loudly about his beautiful heart.
Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said "Why, your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." The crowd joined the young man as he looked at the old man's heart. It was beating strongly, but full of scars. It had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but because the pieces didn't quite fit there were several jagged edges to be seen. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces of the old man's heart were missing. The people stared. They thought "How can this old man say his disfigured heart is the most beautiful?" After seeing the condition of the old man's heart the young man laughed and said "You must be joking. Your heart doesn't compare with mine! My heart is perfect, and yours is just a mess of scars and tears."
"Yes," said the old man, "your heart looks perfect but I would never trade mine for yours. Every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them. Often they give me a piece of their heart in return which I fit into the empty space in my heart - but because the pieces aren't an exact fit I end up with rough edges, which I cherish because they remind me of the love we shared. The empty gouges you see represent the pieces of my heart that I've given away without the other person giving a piece of their heart in return - but that is the nature of love: giving unselfishly and taking the chance that no love will be given in return. These gouges are the most painful. They stay open to remind me of the love I have for these people, and in hope that someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. Now, do you see what true beauty is?"
The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The old man placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his own old scarred heart and placed it into the wound in the young man's heart. The piece fit, but there were some jagged edges.
The young man looked at his heart - not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever since love from the old man's heart flowed into his. They embraced and walked away side by side.
(Love means giving unselfishly, not expecting reward or acclaim but because it is the right thing to do. The person who is unafraid to love has the most beautiful heart of all....)
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Mother's Day
What can compare to the beauty of a mother?
She who has been charged by Almighty God to be the wellspring of life.
She who endures untold pain to bring each of us into the world.
She who's heart can hold each one of us with room to spare.
Her endurance is unmatched.
Her forgiveness is unfathomable.
Her love.....unconditional.
Who is always there to dry your tears?
Who could always feel your pain, and be the first to share in your joy?
Who can you always talk to - even when you don't know what to say?
Mother.
I write this in appreciation.
For all she ever did.
For everything she said.
Because she always knew how to make me smile.
Because she never gave up on me.
Because no matter how much I disappointed, she never stopped loving me.
Because even though I often misunderstood her, I never stopped loving her.
You see, my mom has gone on.
She went home to be with the Lord.
On Mother's Day.
Its been five years now, and well.....
I miss her.
I miss her laugh. I miss her smile. I miss her prying into my business and driving me crazy. I miss her sitting behind me in church and telling my childhood secrets to total strangers. I miss her calling me every year and singing "I Just Called To Say I Love You" on my birthday. I miss the awkward walk she developed from the ravages of arthritis. I miss going by her house and falling asleep on her bed when I just wanted to go somewhere to get some peace and quiet. I miss knowing I had someone in my life that I knew it was always okay to be myself around.
Now.
Don't get me wrong.
My mom is gone.
But I'm not sad.
I'm thankful.
Thankful that in a cold and God forsaken world such as this, I had a mother that never stopped loving and never stopped trying. I'm thankful that she took the time to make sure I knew right from wrong, and made sure I always tried to do what's right. I'm thankful that she demanded we always treat everyone we meet like they are precious in God's sight. And, I'm thankful that she never let me give up on myself.
If I could have one more day with her, I know just what I'd say. The entire day would be filled with the same phrase - over and over, all day and night - but even if I had ten thousand tongues there still would not be enough time to tell her these three words as many times as she deserved to hear them. So every Mother's Day I reminisce. I savor the joys, the pains, the laughter and the tears; the good times and the bad times; the conversations and even the disagreements. I remember everything she was - her strengths and her faults - because those are the things that made her real. But most of all, I remember the love.
Mommy....
I love you.
Still....
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
She who has been charged by Almighty God to be the wellspring of life.
She who endures untold pain to bring each of us into the world.
She who's heart can hold each one of us with room to spare.
Her endurance is unmatched.
Her forgiveness is unfathomable.
Her love.....unconditional.
Who is always there to dry your tears?
Who could always feel your pain, and be the first to share in your joy?
Who can you always talk to - even when you don't know what to say?
Mother.
I write this in appreciation.
For all she ever did.
For everything she said.
Because she always knew how to make me smile.
Because she never gave up on me.
Because no matter how much I disappointed, she never stopped loving me.
Because even though I often misunderstood her, I never stopped loving her.
You see, my mom has gone on.
She went home to be with the Lord.
On Mother's Day.
Its been five years now, and well.....
I miss her.
I miss her laugh. I miss her smile. I miss her prying into my business and driving me crazy. I miss her sitting behind me in church and telling my childhood secrets to total strangers. I miss her calling me every year and singing "I Just Called To Say I Love You" on my birthday. I miss the awkward walk she developed from the ravages of arthritis. I miss going by her house and falling asleep on her bed when I just wanted to go somewhere to get some peace and quiet. I miss knowing I had someone in my life that I knew it was always okay to be myself around.
Now.
Don't get me wrong.
My mom is gone.
But I'm not sad.
I'm thankful.
Thankful that in a cold and God forsaken world such as this, I had a mother that never stopped loving and never stopped trying. I'm thankful that she took the time to make sure I knew right from wrong, and made sure I always tried to do what's right. I'm thankful that she demanded we always treat everyone we meet like they are precious in God's sight. And, I'm thankful that she never let me give up on myself.
If I could have one more day with her, I know just what I'd say. The entire day would be filled with the same phrase - over and over, all day and night - but even if I had ten thousand tongues there still would not be enough time to tell her these three words as many times as she deserved to hear them. So every Mother's Day I reminisce. I savor the joys, the pains, the laughter and the tears; the good times and the bad times; the conversations and even the disagreements. I remember everything she was - her strengths and her faults - because those are the things that made her real. But most of all, I remember the love.
Mommy....
I love you.
Still....
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Chat Room
The imaginary room
where I meet my imaginary friends
and we go on for hours and hours
sending text hugs, smilies and fake flowers
pretending to love each other
from the safety of our homes
found in locations all over the world.
Although its been nearly three years
I still find the technology fascinating
(the conversation, at times, quite stimulating)
the potential of the medium quite captivating
and the thrill of meeting new people
from all over the world
quite exhilarating.
Yet I try to never lose sight of the fact
that what I see
are all just electronic avatars
computer generated fascimiles of people
total strangers
living who-knows-where doing God-knows-what
most of whom will never cross each other's path.
In truth
for most of my online existence
I've never wanted it to be any other way.
But every now and then
even in the emotionless, desensitized, artificial realm of cyberspace
amidst the innocent,
the naive,
the obnoxious,
the overzealous,
the undercover hackers,
the undiscovered stalkers
the all around ne'er-do-wells
even though handicapped by the persistent superficiality
prevalent throughout the medium
forced upon its participants
by rules that hinder real discussion
and surrounded by people
who encourage you to go along to get along
and who discourage any attempt at independent thought
even in this remote intellectual wasteland
every now and then
you can find someone
who can change your life for the better.
Someone you'll cherish meeting forever.
To that someone
who has managed to make me believe
in things I swore were never possible
until the instant our paths crossed
in a chat room
to that person
I pray that I have made their lives better
I hope that I have made their days brighter.
To that someone
I say
Thank you.
where I meet my imaginary friends
and we go on for hours and hours
sending text hugs, smilies and fake flowers
pretending to love each other
from the safety of our homes
found in locations all over the world.
Although its been nearly three years
I still find the technology fascinating
(the conversation, at times, quite stimulating)
the potential of the medium quite captivating
and the thrill of meeting new people
from all over the world
quite exhilarating.
Yet I try to never lose sight of the fact
that what I see
are all just electronic avatars
computer generated fascimiles of people
total strangers
living who-knows-where doing God-knows-what
most of whom will never cross each other's path.
In truth
for most of my online existence
I've never wanted it to be any other way.
But every now and then
even in the emotionless, desensitized, artificial realm of cyberspace
amidst the innocent,
the naive,
the obnoxious,
the overzealous,
the undercover hackers,
the undiscovered stalkers
the all around ne'er-do-wells
even though handicapped by the persistent superficiality
prevalent throughout the medium
forced upon its participants
by rules that hinder real discussion
and surrounded by people
who encourage you to go along to get along
and who discourage any attempt at independent thought
even in this remote intellectual wasteland
every now and then
you can find someone
who can change your life for the better.
Someone you'll cherish meeting forever.
To that someone
who has managed to make me believe
in things I swore were never possible
until the instant our paths crossed
in a chat room
to that person
I pray that I have made their lives better
I hope that I have made their days brighter.
To that someone
I say
Thank you.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Hmmmmmmm.......
First off, let me say that I thank everyone who actually took the time to read this site, and I especially appreciate those who took the time to tell me so. And, yes, I even appreciate the input of the ones who were kind enough to share their different views of my posts as well as me as a person. You see, I threw this up months ago on a whim, being someone who was fascinated with what was going on in the American political arena who wanted to offer their contribution to the so-called "debate" that was raging in these here United States at the time. Unfortunately, as this political saga unfolded, rather than bring out the best in us as a nation it seemed to play up what was the worst in us. I won't elaborate on that, I'll just say that what is done is done and its time for us to MOVE ON (heh). I have no intention of changing my views or position, but I intend to continue to try to work with anyone who desires to work for the good of man in this country and every other. There are things that we have seen in ourselves that need to be changed for the better, and I pray that "We The People" will always strive to make this a country that seeks positive change here and abroad, and that we do that in a spirit of compassion and not arrogance. Whether or not we will be able to accomplish that under our present political leaders remains to be seen, but the power has never been in the government has it? The Constitution of these here United States claims that our government is elected "of, by and FOR the people" and we the people are supposed to do all we can to make it so. I for one will continue to do that, and I pity those who think they can deter me by slandering me or my views.
Now, as for the long delay between posts? Well, somehow when i upgraded Windows XP on my laptop it caused a problem that prevented me from accessing this site at all. Since I prefer talking to people one on one in person to posting blurbs in cyberspace I kinda drifted away from it for months and had actually forgot about it completely until a few people in a chat room I frequent began to make mention of it after clicking the link in my profile. Since all the posts were over 6 months old - and would have been archived anyway had I kept up with the blog regularly - I went ahead and deleted them all. Old news. Like I said, I've moved on. I would hope that others would do the same rather than gloat in what they might perceive as a "victory."
Speaking of so-called victories, the whole political thing from last November 2004 here in America reminds me of an old analogy I heard in church: A preacher once asked "If a dog and a skunk got into a fight, who would win?" His answer was "well, the dog would win, but they'd both come out smelling just the same." There are some things more important than winning. Things like integrity. Honesty. Compassion. Forgiveness. Patience. Mutual Respect. And, if we never learn how to acquire these things in our lives.....well, then something just stinks........
Now, as for the long delay between posts? Well, somehow when i upgraded Windows XP on my laptop it caused a problem that prevented me from accessing this site at all. Since I prefer talking to people one on one in person to posting blurbs in cyberspace I kinda drifted away from it for months and had actually forgot about it completely until a few people in a chat room I frequent began to make mention of it after clicking the link in my profile. Since all the posts were over 6 months old - and would have been archived anyway had I kept up with the blog regularly - I went ahead and deleted them all. Old news. Like I said, I've moved on. I would hope that others would do the same rather than gloat in what they might perceive as a "victory."
Speaking of so-called victories, the whole political thing from last November 2004 here in America reminds me of an old analogy I heard in church: A preacher once asked "If a dog and a skunk got into a fight, who would win?" His answer was "well, the dog would win, but they'd both come out smelling just the same." There are some things more important than winning. Things like integrity. Honesty. Compassion. Forgiveness. Patience. Mutual Respect. And, if we never learn how to acquire these things in our lives.....well, then something just stinks........
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