Sonhood

I see it all around me today.

Old photos and "thanks for making me who I am today."

I'm in a place neither here nor there, one of emptiness and guilt and mourning.

Mourning for someone who is still alive.

And I fear can only thank once she is no longer here.

Taken by this current, down, I can only see the dissolving glow of light above.

How warmly it must shine.

Binary

The creator gave us two eyes and, by God, I can't bring myself to see nothing but two moons. The eyes do not agree with science. 

How The Trolls Get Trolled By The Trolls Who Get Trolled On

It's been 14 years now. Things are different. No more Thomas the Tank Engine toys. No more smeared cake on the face.

I can't think of a birthday more fitting for Asa than April Fool's Day.

He's a comedian. Practical jokes. Anything for a laugh and to make somebody smile.

It's wonderful how he's turned out. They talk about teenagers. This is fun.

So ... he had this coming.

Troll and get trolled.

When I was in the grocery store tonight to pick out a balloon, I debated between a simple "Happy Birthday" and the trifecta of Disney princesses.

But I know Asa.

He'd do it to me if given the opportunity.

As I walked out, a guy asked me, "So, you've got a big birthday party to plan tonight?"

I nodded my head.

He said, "Your daughter?"

This is where I could have just nodded again .. but I didn't.

In one of those times where you think your own joke is so funny that everybody's going to get it ... I explained.

"No, my son."

"Oh."

"Yeah, it's April Fool's and he likes to joke around, so ..."

"Oh, OK. How old?"

"Um, 14."

"So, if you just knew him, hey, you'd know, this is funny."

"Cool."

"You asked."

"I know."

Yes, the joke ultimately was on me.

But it did get a laugh.

And that's all I'm looking for.

Like father, like son.

If Only I Had The Editing Skills

What I wish I could see in this picture:

A French guy smoking a pipe and wearing a ridiculous beret is splayed across the wet floor, looking puzzled.

Meanwhile, three other guys stand to the side.

The American is in hunting camo attire and holding a Budweiser in his hand.

The German is wearing lederhosen, drinking from a beer boot.

The Mexican has a sombrero on his head and a Dos Equis.

And all three are pointing at the French guy and the sign on the floor, smirking.

Wealth

This is a difficult lesson for me - because the pestilence is so insidious.

I don't consider myself a man of material wealth.

If I were, who knows how much more infected I would be.

But the worship of wealth is far more than the word can describe.

It's ego, judgment, instransigence.

The worship of good as well as bad - as if you know.

Anyway ... I interpreted this this way today, with a little help, it being a Sunday and all:


In regards to material wealth, class warfare isn't the point. And self-persecution is a distraction.

It's that if your wealth determines your worth - as it imperceptively can do - you won't find the peace you're looking for.




I don't know that this solves any problems for me. For all I know it creates more. But ...
 
Luke 6:20-31

"Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:

"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
"Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
"Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
"Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
"But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
"Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
"Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.
"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you."