of time and space
I was returning from a trip yesterday. While my husband drove, I pondered the mysteries of life. I thought of how we first met and the circumstances surrounding it. I thought also of how everything seemed to finally come together all at once--you know how you can sit in front of a puzzle, trying to fit pieces together and just when you are about to give up, suddenly one piece finds its home and the rest just click in place too? This is what has happened for me and my sweetie in the last three years and for that, I am so grateful.
I thought also of others who are not so lucky. I thought of a recent "Dear Abby" column, in which a writer related a story of her alcoholic mom and how she couldn't handle being around her any longer, though her mom was in poor health. Abby agreed, saying she needed to do what was best for her.
What about mom, I thought? What about all the other moms and dads out there who have been turned away because of an addiction issue. How is this fair? Yes, I know all of the arguments but you see, this is also a parent, someone who gave you life. What about the memories, were there any good ones, any at all? And why is it that when someone like Whitney Houston dies from an overdose, the world mourns, but let it be a Jane or John Doe, and everyone turns away in disgust? I see reports in the paper all the time, two line sentences about a body found in the river, no details, just a gender. Who was it? Somewhere in time, that person MUST have been important to SOMEONE, right? Yet, no one steps forward to claim it and another life is laid to rest, for better or worse, with no markers, no grave, no obituary or any signs that a footprint was left behind as a legacy.
So I was pondering all this on the long drive, thanking God for finding the most wonderful man who has come into my life, making it whole and beautiful, and of circumstances and people who were brought into our lives since that day...and it was all for the good. Like puzzle pieces that were meant to fit together. It is my wish that you may also have that epiphany moment when you see that the people and events in your life happened for a reason and that you can rejoice over that. Let others know how glad you are they are a piece of the puzzle of your life, that without them, you would be radically different than you are now. And don't forget to thank God also for being the reason for that joy in your life! Amen!
if not for your previous columns, that fate would have been my dad's. Living under some bridge and scrounging for a shelter. I agree...it HAS been hard...and no accolades either, other than knowing that you did the RIGHT thing! Thanks again, Rev...
ReplyDeleteI saw that Dear Abby column, too, and wondered what in the hell was she thinking? Mom is already sick and you just want to write her off? How Christian is THAT? We must always remember what Jesus did...he did not write off the worse off in society- He embraced them! So should we! By the way, I have been caring fr my alcoholic mom for the past eight years. It isn't as bad as it used to be---and she knows we have "rules" to follow, but I'd rather know she is safe than wonder "what ever happened..." The regrets you will not ever live down!
ReplyDeletelet's talk about that point you brought up: why can and do the celebs get all the attention just because they are well known? It seems ok to make bad choices, after all, you're a STAR!!! What message does that send to the rest of society? Drug abuse os bad, unless you're some rock star. Porn is bad, unless you're Charlie Sheen! Alcohol is bad, yet who EVER gave Dean Martin hell for coming onstage with a glass of booze..or Foster Brooks for his "drunk" skits?" Remember Johnny Carson in the "good ol' days" when he'd have the big name stars on the set and they all had their booze shots in front of them? Yet if it was some granny from the sticks, she was a full fledged raging mad alkie who should be locked away somewhere Yep, I so agree...it isn't who you are...it's WHO you ARE!!
ReplyDeletethe difference between "them" and "Us" is exactly money. Money talks, people listen. Money says lets "have a good time!" Money can buy a way out of a bad situation. Look at Lindsay Lohan. What is she noted for? Being in and out of jail, rehabs, etc. Charlie Sheen? Drugs, rehabs, porn stars. Axl Rose, Nikki Sixx, etc...drugs, sex and rock-n-roll! But when the money is gone, when the good times are over, they are now "us." Why should we care about that? So, unless you have money or your alcoholic parent has money, you/they are nothing to no one. Sad fact of life. If you don't like it, here's a clue...get straightened out and become a part of society!
ReplyDeleteI think of Ted Williams. What's that? who is he? Well, if Knows it all is correct, he was a homeless alcoholic bum for ten years who was a Used to Be in radio. He WAS at the top of his game, then booze took it all away...until he had his 15 minutes of fame on TV when he was "rescued." Suddenly we couldn't get enough of him...TV interviews, talk shows...Dr Phil!!!! Then what happened...oh my! he f*cked up, fell off the wagon, we shook our heads in shame/disgust and said, "it figures, damn boozer.." and went on with our life. So..where is he NOW? who is helping him out NOW? who cares about his welfare NOW? Beats the heck outta me, I am currently watching who else will rise and take a fall.
ReplyDeleteKnows it all is correct. It's Money. Then Knows it all is wrong. Get a clue and become part of society? You blind imbecile! That is part of our society, like it or not. Sad to say, the people chasing the money, or those who have it, ignore reality. And many of those people are the biggest problems out there. But it's all Okay. They are well off, famouse or only had a "relapse", they will be okay.
ReplyDeleteThis whole world neeeds to grow up and look at life through something other than their rose colored spectacles. If your so perfect and right, why cant you do something to help the ones who aren't?
Chew on that, Knows it All.
rob has it right. As long as nothing upsets the applecart of the top 1% all is well. Send a check to a charity but don't get your hands dirty. POSH! Its the getting dirty and walking that mile that counts! Jesus said, "the poor you will always have with you." and maybe its a good thing. Otherwise we'd all be arrogant naysayers.
Deleterob has it right...so does celebrity watcher. Ted Williams? I haven't heard a peep about him either.....it seems easy, doesn't it? get straight...you'll be fine. Except that is just sweeping it under the rug. The shit is still there, you can't see it. Over time it will still stink and the more you walk over it the more it smells. Why not just accept...accept that we ARE doing the best we can....most of us anyway. I sure as hell don't want to burden society....so why is society so in MY face with crap? Why do I have to tolerate when Lohan screws up? Why IS it Ok that Whitney died but no one would give a rat's ass if I croaked? Good points you have there, Rev!!!! Now if only I had the answers..........
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