tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362514292024-03-13T11:41:57.960-06:00YzGuiseMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-85927186775455371202021-01-28T08:41:00.002-07:002021-03-25T15:49:09.796-06:00Visions<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Behind my eyes the visions fleet </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">of your sparkling eyes that shine so sweet.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">They crease as your smile lights up the room </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">and the words of the heart that you spoke so soon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">All these visions far, yet right in arms reach </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">it pains me to witness my fake dreams repeat.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I know you're not here and what I see too, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">mean phantoms taunt my heart strings with you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You were taken too soon, stolen away, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">from the conversations meant for to help sway</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">the human in ourselves in our strength and our power, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">to manage the trials and the doubts of the hour.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But alas all I have is a computer screen </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">housing images, the same ones that haunt all my dreams</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And some pieces of paper that you held in your hand </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">and the walls that I live in where ghosts of you stand.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm still bitter towards the frailness of humanity </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">that ended your presence long before it should be.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I am glad I was yours, I am sure I chose you </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">and despite your tough absence to your word you were true</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">when you followed the plan and brought me up here </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">to earth where you taught me a path that was clear.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You allowed me to make the mistakes I must make </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">without over riding the path I must take.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Some would say I have all that I needed from you </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">to console for your absence and it somewhat rings true,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">but for days like today when consoling thoughts cease </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">on paper the words of your death see them flee.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I sit here staring blankly into the distance</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">seeking visions of you in somewhat of a trance</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">to see your eyes that sparkle so sweet </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">that crease when you smile, never to cease.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Cheryl Rae Burge 10/10/1945 - 1/28/2007</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.legacy.com/amp/obituaries/saltlaketribune/86207822">https://www.legacy.com/amp/obituaries/saltlaketribune/86207822</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> - MDB </span></span><br /></p>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-36267869800088598252019-08-29T13:07:00.004-06:002019-08-29T13:07:25.843-06:00LLWS and the Zipper<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple weeks ago I was in the break room heating up a
lunch in the microwave that probably wouldn’t serve my waistline very well but
fit my desire to get back to work perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During this meal prep session, I watched ESPN broadcasting on one of the
many TVs in the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On this day the Little
League World Series was playing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love watching
the LLWS because of the passion these kids feel for what they are doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For their age group, they are the best of the
best surviving local, regional and super regional tests to make it to this stage
each year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the game that was being broadcast, a young man stepped to
the plate intent on doing some damage to the baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A serious concentration on his face,
eyeballing the pitcher in hopes that his intensity would take the edge off the
incoming pitch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the camera angles changed and panned through the scene
creating a story line, the commentators reviewed game and historical performances
to fill time between pitches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this
moment I noticed something that even made me embarrassed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unbeknownst to this this young batter, that
was so intent upon performing in the moment, he had his pant zipper all the way
down. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I watched each pitch pass, ball. ball. strike. ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was screaming in my head, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“when will he notice and zip it up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Someone please tell him, so he won’t be so embarrassed!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the next pitch came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The young batter swung and made contact sending the ball sailing over
the outfield wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His face lit up the
moment he made contact knowing that it was well hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hard work, patience, intensity and effort
paid off in this moment in time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He trotted around the bases and across home plate stomping
on it with both feet hit team gathered around him, cheering and patting him on
the helmet in full celebration mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off
they went to the dugout with more runs on the board and steps closer to winning
the game and ultimate victory.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now the voices in my head, as this scenario unfolded, had
great intent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt for the boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t want to see him embarrassed. There
was nothing I could have done 2000 miles away across a tv signal to right the
situation and reduce his embarrassment, but what if I could have?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What if the coach at third stepped up after seeing the zipper
and had the boy fix it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the
pitcher or catcher from the other team had pity on their opponent? Maybe the umpire
or worst of all what if the PA Announcer blared over the PA system for all to
hear, “Batter please zip up your zipper, how embarrassing”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In this scenario how likely is it that the young batter
would then lose concentration?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
thoughts of hitting a ball well, let alone hitting it over the wall would be
long gone because the embarrassment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
horrifying thought that everyone now only saw the wardrobe malfunction and that
his reputation would forever suffer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
only would the batter know but everyone in the stadium and even worse everyone
tuning in across the nation and across the globe watching ESPN.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, the fact that the batter had his zipper down had
no effect on the performance of the young man in the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not affect the ball going over the
wall or the runners crossing the plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It did not stop runs going on the scoreboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The un-imagined embarrassment was of no
consequence at all until later in the dugout when it didn’t matter because the
important moment had passed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How often in business and in life do we set out nit picking small
things and suggesting the target of our comments should or could be embarrassed
or otherwise harmed? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we stop to
understand the significance the issues we comment on and how they may fit in
the scheme of things?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mentioning issues or giving feedback about truly damaging or
harmful scenarios is a valuable gift we give each other when it is done with
true intent to help or to work as a team. Do we however, evaluate our comments
before we make them?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By giving the wrong feedback or by giving it at the wrong
time we risk destroying another person’s ideas, enthusiasm, concentration or
energy over things that in the course of business or life will have no effect on
the outcome if left alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let those around us perform at high levels, hit the ball
over the fence and score runs for our team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Choose the feedback we give wisely so that we do not kill success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop them if they step to the plate without a
bat in hand but be "ok" with them taking swings with their zipper down on
occasion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-36845263798785646872017-03-10T00:26:00.001-07:002017-03-10T00:26:23.210-07:00tiny<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The infant rage, not searing pain, you faux think it touched like the rain. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">It runs down in a channeled place, you make it flow and leave no trace.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">It’s easy to forget it’s there as one drop two, then pair by pair,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">You can hardly tell but your mind does know when time to time a gushing flow </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">makes you gag the angered pitch and in control you hide the itch.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Silently and out of sight you dump what holds a tearful fight.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes I said it, if the truth be had, not drops of water touching land,</span><br />
but the tears squeezed from deep injury, fierce nature rejecting inquiry<br />
of innocence and gentile care who’d dump the lot and face the fear.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Without a sign or even flinch this is no forgery or glitch.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It will not go or look away. It won’t be silent or leave the fray.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">You no longer can bear the load, not one more step forward down the road</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The crushing weight from deep within has you stretched so very thin.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But that drop will come, it is in the books, like a loss to salvation’s crook</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That care not your dire straight their blinds drawn shut to others fate</span><br />
‘til the shell of you slums lifelessly at the roadside not a sight is freed.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">But gratefully your soul retreats no longer bearing anything</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">As tiny as that infant rage you’ve gone unnoticed from future gaze.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-50439515010072661472017-01-29T22:39:00.001-07:002017-01-29T22:39:36.457-07:00Separation<br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--L_cy8r6ihA/WI7Q6H9THVI/AAAAAAAAepk/kP4WTvUhZ5g7AOqTQVOElqtbxOLXSDkyQCLcB/s1600/OldSchool-090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--L_cy8r6ihA/WI7Q6H9THVI/AAAAAAAAepk/kP4WTvUhZ5g7AOqTQVOElqtbxOLXSDkyQCLcB/s320/OldSchool-090.jpg" width="299" /></a>Yesterday, Jan 28th, it was 10 years since my Mother passed away. <br />
<br />
In July it will be 6 years since the loss of my Father.<br />
<br />
March 7th it will be 17 years since my Sara came and went.<br />
<br />
This Thanksgiving will be 20 years since losing my Grandma Lorraine.<br />
<br />
This year it will also be 28 years since losing my Grandpa Burge.<br />
<br />
The time flies as we get on with things. Occasionally we have a fleeting glimpse of those missing.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WpfwAjKBnec/WI7Q6AiLrTI/AAAAAAAAepg/GQ0Ex3uk9f8jZq6rc60eeVIAwoskr-aZwCLcB/s1600/Dad%2527s%2BScanned%2BPhotos%2B656-78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WpfwAjKBnec/WI7Q6AiLrTI/AAAAAAAAepg/GQ0Ex3uk9f8jZq6rc60eeVIAwoskr-aZwCLcB/s320/Dad%2527s%2BScanned%2BPhotos%2B656-78.jpg" width="250" /></a><br />
<br />
We choke up, we may even cry but for certain our heart aches for the lost potential.<br />
<br />
But time moves on. 6, 10, 17, 20 , 28 years pass and to our human eyes our relationships seem forever static.<br />
<br />
I know they aren't, but to our human understanding it seems that way.<br />
<br />
I long for the interaction and growth. I miss that most.<br />
<br />
I cant help to think they miss it too. Absence on either side has to be equally painful.<br />
<br />
At some point we will catch up, we will reminisce, we will fill each other in.<br />
<br />
It will seem like no time has passed but fresh on our minds will be the separation.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5L91WJT2K8/WI7RAuNVc_I/AAAAAAAAepo/wS2fl8y7kLM0lPso3WSCwjwFP062pu2qACLcB/s1600/oldburge-015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5L91WJT2K8/WI7RAuNVc_I/AAAAAAAAepo/wS2fl8y7kLM0lPso3WSCwjwFP062pu2qACLcB/s320/oldburge-015.jpg" width="320" /></a>Will we appreciate more, pay attention more and not take for granted.<br />
<br />
Is this the reason of our separation?<br />
<br />
I miss all of you.<br />
<br />Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-46741021322693254292016-03-23T15:50:00.001-06:002016-03-23T15:50:02.120-06:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>TRUTH<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I have spent years
betraying me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
For causes just or
naught<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I killed dreams, underachieved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Was mean, dead, ill tempered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I stopped good
things, started bad things<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Even though my heart
sang a different song.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I denied blessings to
me and mine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I can no longer sin
against my existence<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I will dictate me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
My false walls of
protection will crumble<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
My excuses and justifications<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Fade to nothing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I am me</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And will forever be.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
-mdb</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-38062077424455712192016-03-19T00:18:00.000-06:002016-03-19T00:18:56.767-06:00One Man's Burden<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bear the burden of a million years, a million people and a
million tears.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But this deep silence haunts every thought, not what I
sought or what I wrought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But faultless I will never be in many things not this
especially.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-waC4I9UdXS4/VuzucAlwPwI/AAAAAAAAcG8/blSyVgbrRt4dEAHf99CAX-JB3i-xCYryQ/s1600/depression-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-waC4I9UdXS4/VuzucAlwPwI/AAAAAAAAcG8/blSyVgbrRt4dEAHf99CAX-JB3i-xCYryQ/s320/depression-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This pain, pressure, regret, sorrow, anger, fear and heart so
hollow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are my millstone right or not; to carry or let go, what
ought?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lights have dimmed and faltered in my soul forever
altered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hope extinguished just the same, turned from great foundation
to total shame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From as far as I could see to what will never be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Face in hand and heart dead still, I face what’s left
without a will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This silent burden smothering me, killing me, until nothing
is left of me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I die.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-mdb</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-36258652623794129722016-03-15T12:31:00.002-06:002016-03-15T12:55:43.368-06:00Lost<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Explosion of the truthful state,</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2hMIweHfPts/VuhVu0kkHAI/AAAAAAAAcGc/gbFhLSM1Gukk44mVdzp11EUM61vSufS4A/s1600/248x186x1380811222_2838ee92b8_z.jpg.pagespeed.ic.rn101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2hMIweHfPts/VuhVu0kkHAI/AAAAAAAAcGc/gbFhLSM1Gukk44mVdzp11EUM61vSufS4A/s1600/248x186x1380811222_2838ee92b8_z.jpg.pagespeed.ic.rn101.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">blows up the mind, tears up the eye, shreds the hurtful lie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When confronted the movie of a thousand years,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">exposes futility, clutters tranquility, mocks the use of try.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The foundation of people crumbles,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">taking all structure, killing all venture, making each living cell cry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The soul of the cell fouls to black,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The movement ceases, it shrinks and creases, leaving only blight,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but still stoic stands the man,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">swallowing his death, hides stolen breath, traveling still, lost in fright.</span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-60851058312326372392016-01-28T18:00:00.002-07:002016-01-28T18:00:42.255-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CL5jmwPAXro/Vqq5p8auFoI/AAAAAAAAb1s/LJUzJV3mSvc/s1600/OldSchool-022.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CL5jmwPAXro/Vqq5p8auFoI/AAAAAAAAb1s/LJUzJV3mSvc/s320/OldSchool-022.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Late this morning we passed 9 years since my mother left us. There are many images form those final couple of days that play through my mind. Memories of a cold January Sunday not only because of the snow across the ground but the imminent departure of my Mother. The weeks had been brutal to her, in fact the months prior had not been nice either. We had been with her on a roller coaster of emotion seemingly something new at every turn that must be dealt with internally and externally. For me I put off even the mere thought that she would not beat this because not doing so would somehow give the disease a greater hold on her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh I wish that life were like so many Christmas movies that put out the concept that the possession of Christmas spirit in a person would cause magical things to happen. If we were just positive always ready to do battle...If we never believed the worst that it couldn't and wouldn't happen. But life is not that way. In the last month of her life, that cold January, we had to resolve ourselves to the worst. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The telling trip to Cottonwood hospital New Years eve exposed the mortality of both my Mom and Dad where my Dad collapsed filling out paperwork to admit my Mother. We split our time between the 2nd and 5th floors caring to both. I think that was the turning point for me. It was too serious. This was a hill that she would not make it over. I do not think I realized what a turning point this was for my Father until a few years later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trail of this existence is long and as mortals in this mortal life we will as some point bow out to let those we love carry on. Those will have to do so with only the lessons they have been taught. At times we will make those that have passed before us proud. I am afraid my mother has face palmed at my behavior more than I would ever like to admit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nine years ago we gathered to bid my Mother farewell but it was a mere formality. Our quality interactions were behind us except hopefully for a few last mortal words meant to console us through the rest of our lives. Mine thankfully were the exchanged "I Love You". Then she is gone. Then nine years have passed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I honor my Mother for the exalted place she holds in my existence. For the parts of me that are her, physically, mentally, morally and spiritually. I miss you.</span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-754023338251776312016-01-10T10:35:00.001-07:002016-01-10T10:35:45.968-07:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Emotional Death</span>,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Searing yet empty.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Standing in the deep
end of an empty swimming pool.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowing what full
should feel like and feeling the opposite.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something must be
done.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why?</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is it my fault?</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Could I change?</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pain says, “Who
cares?”</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What ifs are bygones.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No matter, no
optimistic view,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">its shattered by the
hammer of reality.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming back with this
person or that,</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To torment me?</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It digs at that empty
space</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">until once again I
reach for that hammer.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They don’t know what
they say!</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe I don’t know!</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How could I not know?</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">How could I not know?</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">How could I not know?</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Echoes from the walls
of the empty pool.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: xx-small;">michael burge 2008</span></div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-7472394805145421712015-11-26T22:23:00.000-07:002015-11-26T22:23:10.766-07:00The Fight<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes life overpowers and seems large</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">betraying its simple and fragile charge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its really dull, fleeting and runs away</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">like sunset light it dissipates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What you know reality is must be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but your heart cant see, wont see, hides to flee.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then the fight for life begins</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for the distance you tread, struggle, drown again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In obscurity your pain endures</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mostly by choice, you think your cure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not to inflict on those</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">who blindly act around you close.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of those would offer hands</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but still you silently, quietly stand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to keep at all costs the burden hid</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from the ones that would cheerily bid</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to mock your struggle and add your load</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then when struck say words to goad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So silently you carry on</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">head held high, feet planted strong</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but the hidden signs of drag marks, tears</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blood of emotional wounds and fears</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">will go unnoticed to all around</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that eventually put you in the ground.</span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-30729151896708311962015-10-26T18:28:00.000-06:002015-10-26T18:28:25.781-06:00The Digital "Under" Age<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just an observation in this Digital Age…. We have access to
information at a phenomenal rate. We
also have access to many people almost immediately. It used to be that when we got pissed at
someone we were left to deal with the aftermath in an interpersonal way. Our outlets were few and far between. This most often was the savior of the
impulsive and hot headed of our population.
This group I speak of is mostly comprised of the people that give out
overreactions and drama by the handful, like Smarties on Halloween. It was also the savior of those of us that
may occasionally be overtaken by a fit of stupidity and if the outlet were
present would verbally vomit over society.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was then….this is now.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like a Home Alone II, we are left with a parent’s credit
card of unfettered, instant access to thousands of other people. We splurge in the most decadent fashion
laying ourselves bare. Some of this is
good. I have certainly seen blogs and
opinion pieces, political opinion meant to sway, up to date communication with
friends and family that includes the most sincere representation of each meal
we partake in that provides a great view into the soul.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know, I know...to some this may seem the obnoxious part
but really it is innocent and allows for closer relationships. Where I think it gets bad is instead of
cheese pizza and ice cream we start ordering AKs and machetes. Along with this open credit card and the
filter of no access no longer applying to our actions many make really bad
decisions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m not talking “oops! I should not have eaten that whole
pumpkin pie” bad decision. I am talking
Gladiator stab you in the lungs and liver mistake. Now you see that credit card of access is
sitting only a few feet away and the focus of my anger is chained by his
hands. I will just go wound him now and
then finish him off later when I have the advantage. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those that may not remember that victim ends up
ventilating the Caesar in a very fatal way.
In hind sight, most of these bad decisions we make with clouded vision
and short sighted planning are based on anger and no filter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To add to the train wreck, many otherwise level headed, intelligent
people begin reading this emotional drivel and instantly subtract 100 points
from their IQ. Mind you they are rarely
left with enough thinking points to make up the points on the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">little </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dipper, but in a light
bulb moment they applaud this friend or family member and say to themselves
“OMG they wrote it on the internet..this is definitely God’s honest truth,
Bonjour!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now author is vindicated and validated in their anger and
misdeeds. All without even having to
face and work out our problems with the one we have had problems with. We no longer have to look at the hurt we have
caused. In fact we can throw anything
out there that we might think will hurt, true or not, because we don’t have to
see the results. Our anger feels better
once those votes of confidence start coming in.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The worse we make it sound the better the yummy responses
are. It’s no skin off our back…we don’t
have to watch the pain on their faces, dry the tears as they pick up the
pieces. I can’t help think that we were
much nicer to each other in the olden days when our attacks come to their
face. We chose our words and our lies
more carefully if we chose them at all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the rest of you that choose to check your intelligence
at the keyboard and feed the beast I would say this….I have been around kids
for a large part of my life. I was one
for a while and then raising them for many more. Often on the hour or even by the minute I
have one of many kids running to me decrying a petulant, vile act committed
against them by another child or adult.
They recount how the act ruined their life and nearly caused cracks in
the earth’s surface to form. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a devastating tale complete with whimpering and
tears. They know you well and use key
words that are likely to garner sympathy and instigate anger for the
offender. My first thoughts and words
are” Oh really? “, “Is that what really happened?”and “What did you do?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see without fail the initial or sometimes 2<sup>nd</sup>
or 3<sup>rd</sup> story is rarely truthful.
It generally never gets cleared up until I have interrogated the accuser
and questioned the offender before I finally find out. Yes two sides of the story.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The secret, you don’t have to give up those IQ Points. Just remember that this person you are
reading is much closer to an accusing child than a credible unbiased
source. You don’t have to contribute to
the delinquency of a child…you don’t need to allow them to track dirt into your
house. You just don’t. Walk away, scroll down and don’t comment
because there is more than one side and you DO NOT know it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have found yourself identifying with the owner of bad
decisions described within…You probably should step away from the
keyboard. You may get away with it a
time or 2 but it will not be long before a the gladiator you back-stabbed stands
over you with a bloody knife.</span></div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-59056743965318432292015-02-19T00:26:00.002-07:002015-02-19T00:26:44.867-07:00So yeah I got thrown out of a Jr Jazz game....So a week ago Saturday I got thrown out of a Jr Jazz game.<br />
<br />
I am sure that the action traumatized on some level the boys that I have coached all season, 4 which are Scouts in my Troop (Shout out Eight-Two-Oh) and 1 of which was my son.<br />
<br />
Now before you stereo type me as one of the out of control Dad/Coach that calls out the ref for not knowing the difference between a basketball, bowling ball or the equipment that hovers directly under a bull, follow me.<br />
<br />
At my worst I will, every few years, get thrown out of a church basketball game as a player. I will be the guy that when a player hits hard as we are battling for position I will hit harder and harder and harder until he backs down much like a rutting bull with a rack the size of Mount Timpanogos.<br />
<br />
I am competitive.<br />
<br />
I am also that guy that uses my girth wisely. I pick my spots ....usually. I am that geek kid with the duck taped glasses that has built a DIY nuclear reactor in his basement not wanting to waste his one nuclear weapon unless the payout is going to be worth it.<br />
<br />
Famously, I work an umpire, as a pitcher in my old fat man softball league, to the point at which I get warned but I have a nose for when I have pushed the right button then I shut up and miraculously he will return the favor...but I have to shut up at the right time to get reciprocation.<br />
<br />
I will never be accused of being a quiet player or non-competitive. To be fair, however I have put in my time. Over the last 20 years I have Referee'd 100+ games. I take pride in my time chewing on a whistle. I take pride in doing my job right. When I am in the stripes I constantly monitor what is happening from the temperament of the players and coaches, to the fairness of the calls, balance of the calls, to the fairness of the game and I constantly make adjustments to make sure that the experience brings integrity to a game that I love.<br />
<br />
When a referee does not care or fails to protect the integrity it brings out my anger monkeys. Part of that includes my interactions with the players and coaches. I am confident in the game I call while not always perfect. I take the time to instruct a player to explain what I saw and why I called it. I have a nose for refs that are not doing justice to a game that I participate in and care about. <br />
<br />
I more so get upset when it involves boys I am teaching. You can then get an understanding when a couple of guys that forgot their audience got under my skin. I have several first year players whose love of the game can be made or broken by the experience they have here. I took note when they fowled out one boy in less than 6 min. When the foul count was 8 to 1 I grunted out a few statistics and how he should be paying attention to his fairness. He angrily yelled back at me a cop out. "Your boys are more aggressive!"<br />
<br />
Sure you could play that way but you miss a teaching opportunity. You miss an opportunity to create a good experience for a young man that is eager to learn, eager to compete. You think it is ok though to sit him down. Why are you here? For the run? It cant possibly be for the $12 you will make. and it cant be because you want to build the future of the game or build great youth.<br />
<br />
They then started to pay me back for reminding them of a few things about integrity and refereeing by being even harder on these young men. It was so blatantly bad that the other coaches lobbied with the league management to get my quickly DQ'd boy back in the game because they DO get it.<br />
<br />
Time out after time out my boys came to me saying they didn't know what they were doing wrong. I tried to explain what the referee could have seen but I was growing much more frustrated for these boys. I just explained the right thing to do as a player. Do not get out of your game. I will worry about what the referees you worry about all the skills we have learned...you worry about the game.<br />
<br />
Then, just after half time, it happened. We hit a ratio of 13 fouls to 2 and on a couple of plays they put my boys in danger of being hurt because they didn't want to call fouls that would help my team. At that time I knew what I had to do. I had to let these boys know that when they could do no more for themselves I would be there to defend them<br />
<br />
I did not swear. I did not challenge the referees lineage or say things about his wife or mother I just told him the truth about his actions and held him accountable I basically told him that he needed to give me a technical because I could no longer sit silent while they had no integrity. He not only gave me one but gave me a bonus and then asked me to leave.<br />
<br />
The game was finished and none of my guys fouled out the rest of the game. None of them did anything but play with sportsmanship and they lost that game they were never going to win from the get go. I apologized to the parents at the end when I was allowed back into the gym. None of which had any issue with what path I had taken that day.<br />
<br />
Sometimes we have to go to battle for those that we care about. They need to know that we will do it so that they can go on fighting their daily battle against the world. That is the the comfort in their mind that they are not fighting alone. <br />
<br />
A few days later at Scout meeting there was a conversation with those boys. They asked which leaders were going on the camp with them the next week. I teased them and said I'm going you don't need anyone else. One of them turned to me and said you are correct..anyone that can talk to a referee that way is all we need.<br />
<br />
Yes young man...I will fight with you and for you and you know it.<br />
<br />Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-3662554446729592252014-06-09T14:36:00.000-06:002014-06-09T14:36:03.250-06:00Why should I become an Eagle Scout?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I had the question posed to me from a mother whose son was wondering why he should become and Eagle Scout and what good it would do for a young man. For those of you that know me well I am passionate about he subject and therefore could not resist the soapbox. Here is my reply:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While it would be wonderful to say here and now that you
will find great buckets of gold and soda will come out of water fountains if
you get your Eagle Scout award it almost never will happen. You may have an edge in getting a job when
compared to another person if all other things are equal but the change will
not happen innately from the world around you just for attaining the
award. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What will happen is this:
As an Eagle Scout you will join the ranks of the 4% of all Scouts to
accomplish this feat, you will join the likes of Neil Armstrong, Steven Spielberg,
Stephen Breyer, Robert Gates, Bill Gates, Gerald Ford, Howard W. Hunter, Dallin
H. Oaks and many more. They are all
religious and secular leaders, leaders in industry, heroes and military personnel
who one after another attribute their successes to what they learned in
attaining their Eagle Scout Award.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IF you look at the requirements by the time you have earned
the merit badges and ranks, you will have learned and demonstrated many practical
skills, learned independence, innovation, financial training, to be a citizen
of your community, nation and of the world, to speak well to an individual and
group, what it takes to be physically fit, what it takes to save a life, what
it takes to run and participate in a family, to continually give service to
others and to allow others to serve you, to lead your friends, your family and yourself
and to have honor above all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may be able to gain all these skills somewhere else but
in my experience no training is as complete to a young man as that of the Scouting
program. Eagle Scout would be the pinnacle
of your training. When you get done you
will know that you have what it takes to make the grade in anything you attempt
in life. Stopping short you will always
wonder and sometimes regret what could have been.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stopping short will not assure that you will not be great
and getting your Eagle will not assure your success but what I can promise you
is that by earning this award you will give yourself the greatest chance for
success.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the LDS Scout, 100 years ago to present day the
leadership of the church has been inspired to make the Scouting program an
integral part of the Aaronic Priesthood program. Why would they do this? Our Heavenly Father knows that to put the
best missionaries in the field, the best Fathers in the home and the best
leaders in church callings they need to be trained both spiritually and temporally. They have not at anytime said that Scouting
is something that you can do if you want. They have committed time and
resources to make the Scouting program an equal partner with the Aaronic
priesthood in the training of every young man.
They know that the ideals that the Scouting program teaches mesh
perfectly with our Heavenly Father’s plan for us without deviation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know just as in any organization it is imperfect because
it involves people who are imperfect and there may be times when those
imperfections make us wonder why we should be involved but the program is not
responsible for those imperfections humans are.
We must work with the compassion and determination that scouting teaches
to make the program work in the way it successfully has for over 100 years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So why should I work to become an Eagle Scout? As a young man, I know that the world is
becoming more challenging by the day and sometimes the hour. I know that my challenges will be significant. The skills that I will learn will be
essential in times of peace, war, happiness and trial. I want to be the best prepared when I face a
trial of my honor and character. I want
to be the best trained when I face a man having a heart attack, a burning
building or any survival situation. I
want to have the tools when I come face to face with someone having a personal
crisis or when I have one of my own. I
want to be the one at the end of my life to have people say there is a man that
is the best of the best. I know what he
stands for and he is unwavering. Because
of him I am a better person.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scouting will help you get there. Becoming an Eagle Scout will give you the
best chance to get there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once a Eagle Scout, always an Eagle Scout! The few the proud the prepared.</span></div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-11161640975550049162014-05-11T22:19:00.000-06:002014-05-12T10:13:16.470-06:00To Mother with Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1L9ivCMWpNc/U3BLfkQarVI/AAAAAAAARXI/JaMF066HrFk/s1600/wedding+line+3+1+68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1L9ivCMWpNc/U3BLfkQarVI/AAAAAAAARXI/JaMF066HrFk/s1600/wedding+line+3+1+68.jpg" height="303" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So Last week I got carried away with looking at old pictures
and probably spent 3 hours flipping through pictures on the computer and then I
migrated to hard copy pictures. It was
easy to do because there is so much feeling and nostalgia that I haven't been
exposed too for far too long. I found
myself after long overwhelmed by feeling and emotion. Both in pride for what my parents
accomplished but also that aching in my soul for their presence. As Mother's day comes and goes I cannot honor
my mother as I would like to do. It
would be so much better for me sit down and talk to her, to feel her love and
get her advice even if I didn't like it and hug her telling her how much I love
and respect her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know now the pain and suffering the smiles and pride that
children bring upon a parent. I also
know how we were hellions to the nth degree.
I can honestly say my mother is a Saint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple other events have transpired over the last couple
weeks that make it all too clear that we are mortal individuals. We are subject to birth defects, cancer, old
age, bad decisions and evil people. While
I cannot touch my mother and recite my admiration and love many of you
can. Please take the time to do so
frequently. Those moments are far too
few in this life. You will remember the
times you expressed love more than the bad times, they will be etched into your soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had the blessing hours before my mother slipped into a
coma and then passed from this world 7 years ago, to get just what I needed to
sustain me in the remainder of my life on this earth. As she struggled to get down a lemon ice we
were to ourselves in the living room I looked into her eyes, touched her
hand and told her that I loved her. The
last words that she spoke to me were more mouthed than spoken, “I love you too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mother I love you and admire you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the Mothers that have nurtured me
throughout my life I love and admire you too, or should I say, to all the females that have been in my
life, young and old, because to them exists the birthright of those motherly traits that
mankind so desperately needs to cling to and foster and rely on.... that I need to
cling to. With this I now say to my
Grandmothers, Mother, Aunts, Nieces, Wife, Daughters, Cousins, Friends, I honor you and
remind you of your power and calling that is unique to you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Mother’s Day today and every day.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-11366721691218348572012-08-27T08:27:00.000-06:002012-08-27T08:27:19.039-06:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forgive me if I think out loud today. Of course many would argue that blogging is
always thinking out loud, but I would say today is about retrospective and
resolution rather than discourse or lecture.
Now these things are heavy so I am not naive enough to think that
resolution is possible today, weeks or even within a few years but it’s about
the gate through which we all must pass.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you may have done, I have read stories recently on the
victims of crime that have resolved within themselves to not take personal the
crimes against them and to move on; to forgive.
This is the ultimate example of Christ’s teachings to not allow the
poisoning of their own lives further by an act that is selfish, harmful and sometimes
without knowledge by the offender of the reach of their offense or without any acknowledgement
of responsibility by the offender. How
in the world do they do that?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many times I have been an offender to others. I readily admit, I am more than happy to take
advantage of another’s forgiveness when I know I have wronged them. It certainly makes it easier to move on and
change my life, or not in some cases. The
latter being in itself an offense we must recover from. When true forgiveness is given and we waste that
act by not changing behavior I can only assume that the heavens weep with
sadness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following another’s forgiveness of my actions I am not
hampered by guilt because I know that another is no longer begrudging me my
behavior. I am not forced into a
particularly stupid act of defending my harmful actions to protect my
pride. Pride has been taken out of the equation
by the Christ-like nature of forgiveness.
It is a salve that has caused the irritating rash of pride to recede and
depart. The rash of pride also is hiding
the real malady of my behavior and what needs doctoring and fixing the most.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This all being said, true forgiveness of others is about the
individual forgiving and not for the offender.
Of course, the one who forgives with the correct frame of mind and
intent will hope for relief to the offender.
They will care about the change that their charity will enable. In the end the only thing the forgiving
person can ensure is that they eradicate the poison of anger, hurt, disgust,
disappointment, and sorrow that are a natural part of sin, from their lives.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now this is all fine and dandy but this is where the easy
part ends and the hard part slaps me in the face. I find myself on the verge of being consumed
and feeling justified in doing so, a precipice that I both embrace and
fear. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do I battle the disappointment in those who should be
more to me? How do I reconcile their actions
that have affected me? How do I not get
sucked down into the abyss of anger? I
can easily feel the edge near me and every time another ignorant comment or
request is made I feel the pressure to just hate. For every time that I realize that no efforts have been
made to understand, to conversely support, to be what I feel I have always been
to them it becomes harder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It shouldn’t be this way.
I can’t see it changing. I
guess some of the pain is less about what they are doing but more about the
loss of what it should be. I don’t know
that anything I could have done would have made it better or different because
we are all our own people for the better or worse. I wonder most days if they even care. If they have found a substitute for what I
feel is gone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I know it will be said to me, “you cannot take
responsibility for what others do.” The
hard part is not taking it personal when they don’t feel a strong personal
sense of responsibility to treat you well, and you do towards them to the point
of great sacrifice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess I just need to battle it out realizing that getting
into a cycle where I am prone to hate another’s behavior is only going to take
me down. Sure they should be different,
sure they are self absorbed and sure because of that they probably don’t even
think what they are doing is wrong.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can’t expect an apology; I can’t expect that it will be
any better in the future. I can
guarantee that I can destroy what is left if I let it. I can see why it is more difficult to be a
forgiving kind because something inside of me wants to lash out and speak my
mind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hate this and love this at the same time. Being forgiven will save me as will learning
to forgive if it doesn’t kill me first.</span></div>
Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-52119596296788249402012-05-11T14:42:00.001-06:002012-05-11T14:42:47.374-06:00Politics the good, bad...ok mostly Ugly.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let’s just get something straight about politics these days…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe I am just different than most in that I really think its
ok for people to disagree. Ok that is
slightly deceiving, it’s ok if we disagree, but I still think what I believe is
the best way to do things. All kidding
aside, I will definitely not hesitate to share my opinion. This is mostly because I have well thought
out my opinions and know why I believe what I believe. If I have not reached that point of vetting
my thoughts on some issue I am ready and willing to place a disclaimer on it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not prone to characterize you, your family, your pets, and
your lineage if you disagree. I may
state that you are misguided in your opinions, logic and reasoning but those
are in direct correlation to your opinion and how it was derived. There are a few people in this world that I
have personal opinions on their character but those are not based solely on
their opinion and how it differs from mine.
It is derived from their character and the fruits of their being, more
so.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That being said the climate has bred a particular damaging
tactic. Now I don’t want to sound like a
homer but I am conservative and in my observation this happens from the left
almost on an exclusive basis. I am
talking about a leadership to the rank and file liberal….but I do know that it
happens across the spectrum of political ideology.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If someone doesn’t agree with you or opposes some legislation
they are called names, character is denigrated, and outrageous claims are made
against their moral character. These are
bully tactics meant to shut down the conversation and win the verbal battle. They
are a nuclear option. When you cannot
get over, cannot win, cannot convince using your arsenal you should shame, scare
and abuse the opposition so they fall in line.
How sophomoric…no wait how 3<sup>rd</sup> grade.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As an example, I do not believe in global warming as a fact
especially the remedies that are proposed.
I have researched listened read and thought through this issue. It does not mean that I am short sighted oaf
that wants the world to melt like a big cauldron of highly toxic sludge killing
all mankind and animal kind or that I want all bunnies killed in a horrible and
inhumane way. The truth could not be
farther from the truth. I appreciate the
environment for what it is. I also
appreciate and respect life. Sometimes
that means taking it to preserve the whole.
I want to have a world where me and my children and their children can
drink the clean water enjoy the wild life ect.
I spend more time enjoying the woods on foot in my truck and on a 4-wheeler
than most people that claim the title environmentalist. I just view conservation using methods that
are different but in the end I have a far greater interest in preserving
animals and the environment than most.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another example, if I think welfare should be handled in a
different way given to fewer people does not mean I am elitist. I mean I see a system that may be failing and
needs an overhaul. To preserve the whole
some may have to be hurt or everyone will be hurt. If I refuse an earmark to a social class or
an ethnic community it does not mean I am racist. That community still resides in a nation
where I reside and I cannot be ignored when making decisions. I care about the health of all. Sometimes that means giving up a little more
than I want most times it means holding a line when others want to take more
than a healthy system can absorb.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just because I believe we should not mandate insurance companies
cover women’s birth control does not mean that I hate women or that I don’t think
there needs to be fixes to the healthcare system. In fact I want more coverage. But mandates are not the right way to create
a healthy system. I want it fixed the
right way…in a way that will not deteriorate healthcare over the next few years…one
that will make it much stronger. I do
believe we need change.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me just say this about me. I am not homophobic, racist, an elitist,
narrow minded, closed minded. I do not
hate old people or little hungry kids and I am not a male chauvinist. I care about people…I care about our future I
care that others feel love and that someone does not feel isolated so much that they take their life. I care so much that I have thought about what
I think will fix our system. I look at
it in terms of teaching a man to fish rather than giving him one. I care about opportunities being greater for
the kids of our future from the top down.
I just disagree with you on the solution.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do not believe in change for changes sake. That will almost always fail.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember the next time you choose to lash out at my
character because we disagree on solutions, I care about you and I care about
me. I care about our future and our
children’s future. Your insults will not
persuade me they will entrench me. They
will not challenge thought they will close it down. Your words intended to berate me and bully me
will not lead to discussion that will join us together in our cause they will
divide us even though we have similar end goals.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While at this time I may have decided on a best course of
action that I will support, things change.
It is ok to say that you disagree with me but do so with respect so that
we can then talk about the points on which we disagree. I will become deaf if respect is left out of
the equation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be a nation that cares regardless of the solution that you
choose, take the time to create solutions and to know what the landscape is. Take the time to look outside your solutions
for something better and take time to respect others because together we are
stronger than the individual. Divided we
fall.</span></div>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-31915465072411111902012-03-16T11:51:00.002-06:002012-03-16T11:51:39.564-06:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The screaming
in my head</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Echoes off
my teeth</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fills my
lungs up with a feeling</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And my
stomach up with heat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stops my
feet in reverse </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pins my
hands high in the air</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Puts my back
flat to the sky</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My courage out
to scare</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My tears to
rise high</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Smiles to sink
deep</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Silence
screaming demon!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Let me
think, let me think.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
mb.3.12</div>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-84392509306452576202011-12-20T13:21:00.000-07:002011-12-20T13:24:56.110-07:00http://createfan.com/<a href="http://createfan.com/">http://createfan.com/</a><br />
Awesome visualization of your genealogy. You will need to have a free registration to the genealogy site but the output is awesome to look at. Go try it especially at Christmas time when family means so much more.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-89363457927874508572011-11-08T13:54:00.001-07:002011-11-08T13:54:31.021-07:00Pain<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh Pain! How can you come?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Invited by others but much more than none.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bittersweet calling that man must endure </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is a challenging song, that he cant sing for sure.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As it beats at the heart of a man that is losing</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">his calling, his power, the souls of his choosing,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to a cold bitter foe based in humanity </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">full of pride and of youth and of anger towards thee.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the end only hope leads him back to whole</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and this losing sting will someday go</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">replaced by a knowledge that he stares at his past</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and what he did, who he hurt, what hope he dashed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How to go on? memories cry when looking back.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The forward chapters seem written in black</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and this moment I seem to come undone.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh Pain! How can you come?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-67662124255524802332011-10-28T16:37:00.004-06:002011-10-28T16:37:48.971-06:00Drop<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The water starts dripping like yesterday's storm</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">returning to haunt me like pictures long gone.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trails of the drops sting my heart as they land</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on a spot black with passing, alive now it stands.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A deep memory made by the passing of years,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the smile of our lives and the frowns of our fears.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The brier this now fosters quick melts the eye</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but stings the finger for it's picking's a lie</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Either to keep or to toss it matters not</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">an invincible, unforgiving, endless lot.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The drop turns to puddle, to pool then to flood,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the dark depth you fade to the stain of dried blood.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wind beats my face as it bursts in loud screams</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was it me or your chest as it gave its last heave?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I come back to real life with so many around,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">breathing deeply, watching internal tears that fall down.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My arms are as empty as last night and before</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of your presence, your guidance and strength which you bore.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why? Why? Why so soon is this here?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No answer, no one, but just one more tear.</span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-3071803544826011262011-09-27T13:01:00.000-06:002011-09-27T13:01:00.026-06:00One's self...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the hardest personal things we can do is to look inside and communicate the feelings we have to others. Now in some instances we can find a soul that has been in an almost identical situation and therefore the explanations just snaps into place sometimes with minimal words. Most times though we cannot, with adequacy, place the vision of our inner being in a place that it can be understood.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those who know, I am not a man that is lacking for words or opinion or even in the most part communicating difficult subjects. I have, however, found great difficulty in expressing the avalanche of emotions that have enveloped my existence in the last year or even in the last 5 years, realistically. My difficulties most times hidden from view have created a lot of turbulence in my soul and have probably resulted in changing behavior patterns as well as abnormally high levels of stress.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As that level increases it becomes much harder to contain the raw emotion inside myself. I know my attempts to swallow that energy are not healthy but the alternate of unleashing it on the world goes against my view of my responsibility to those around me. This concept also hinders me from accepting help from others. I bury the emotion, motivations and fears so deep in me that its almost a physical battle to retrieve them to share.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The difficulty then lies in my perception that another will adequately treat the emotions as I express them. To trust the insight, the vision, the understanding. That is tough. Maybe it is my arrogance at understanding myself or maybe it is a reluctance to let anyone stumble trying. Maybe I just don't trust that I have done the right amount of research into myself to do myself justice.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowing what I know about people we look into ourselves and see a mural painted by emotion not logic. Sure we can analyze external data to build a logical solution but what we see when we turn the looking glass into our soul is pure emotion. Pure emotion rarely leads us to the real problems and real answers. Emotion is, by it's nature, the reaction of the real problem or the truth.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Evaluating this facade and pulling out the author of our emotions in order to deal with it takes a practiced eye and a disciplined psyche. It doesn't happen overnight and most often it takes the insight from others who don't have a vision clouded by our emotions.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just as one becomes a master craftsman, or a professional athlete practice and hard work spent looking within ourselves for real problems and real solutions will make us masters of human relationships. </span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-71392716524329445962011-05-25T12:14:00.000-06:002011-05-25T12:14:02.159-06:00Emotional Cancer<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">anger blinds</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">blood in the eyes</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-6BHpSSyt8/Td1GlpkzgNI/AAAAAAAAKQU/sP3YL3r0jmk/s1600/resistance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-6BHpSSyt8/Td1GlpkzgNI/AAAAAAAAKQU/sP3YL3r0jmk/s200/resistance.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">objects a mere haze</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">reality too</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">like explosions</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">blinding spots in the eyes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">happen in the distance</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">not in your soul</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a cancer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that is only valid</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">for a brief time</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">then it eats you</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">without question</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">one by one gone</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">sight, mind, heart, soul</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">like ashes blowing away</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">never returning</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">never put together again</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">by anyone</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">but you</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">stop now</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">save yourself</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">save emotional pollution</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">save your world</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">give your pain</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to the one</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">not others</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">not yourself</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it is your only hope.</span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-22743319884988058032011-05-04T14:16:00.000-06:002011-05-04T14:16:38.728-06:00Thats Heavy!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;">Marty you keep mentioning how everythings heavy, why is that what happens in the future does gravity change?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;">-Doc Brown</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great movie line from a great series of Movies. Old Doc Brown had something here. Although it was a popular catch phrase to Marty that meant nothing more than "WOW!", Doc brown took it as something altogether different. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What happens in the future that we would consider as heavy or "Wow!" These things seem like a vision to us a "will happen", a hope or a nightmare. Depending on the reality of these visions they could be something that will eventually happen like graduating high school or college and moving into a real career, getting married, winning the lottery, in the converse growing old and the effects of an aging human body for ourselves or our family.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As human nature would hold true we obsess on those things that are of a positive outcome and we repress thoughts of the worst. Both activities can lead to worse than expected doses of reality in the end when we are saying out loud "Thats Heavy!"</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is definitely a tough balance. How to be cautiously optimistic allowing this optimism to drive our ambition while knowing and planning for the worst without slipping into a funk because of what will happen...someday.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many "somedays" came due the last few months for me. We don't always know how these "somedays" will manifest themselves. Maybe that is one of the things that complicates our ability to prepare for </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">them.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part of me really thinks this is one of the perspectives that has to be learned the hard way. Its not quite as simple as getting burned by touching a hot pan. That self preservation change comes much more quickly and takes less proof of consequence.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only through experience do we understand human life do we understand ourselves. Only then can we temper enthusiasm to realistic levels or deal with the tragedies in a way that we will be able to continue to function and carry on. This is the grace of watching our elders speak and recount and testify...they have been there.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not there yet even though I have a bag of memories and experiences meant to bring me around. Maybe I am getting a lot closer than I think.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look into my eyes can you see the tears shed by my father in pain or the resignation in his soul? Is there disappointment, frustration, fear reflected in steel iron bars? Can you smell on me the almost sickening floral small from spreads of funeral flowers or nostril burning hospital rooms? How about the fresh cut grass covering my mother? Can you hear the quivering in my voice over the results of my failed choices or the danger to my children?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If not then I hide it well and may be on my way.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The surface does not give way to the upheaval that goes on underneath just as the pain will never diminish the upheaval will just be controlled and channeled by the perspective of the change.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now...that's Heavy!</span></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-8842589382404235292011-04-19T14:56:00.000-06:002011-04-19T14:56:38.452-06:00What I believe, What they believe<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over my lifetime I have developed a system of belief as we all have. It is based on many influences that directly happened to us or they may have happened to our ancestors. These have molded and shaped what we are today.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With me, religion is ingrained. As I live ceremonies, rituals or methods of every day living are based in tradition usually representing a mortal form of some spiritual concept. This is a way for us mortals to understand or grasp things of faith or things that are otherwise difficult to wrap our minds around.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I have matured in thinking my views of religion expanded and actually became less black and white over the years. I am very observant of cultures. They fascinate me and religious culture is just as interesting as as say some ethnic culture. Because of this I don't shut out others, I listen intently and am very interested in the similarities. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now It is often that the methods, outcomes and goals of other religions don't overwhelmingly match up with the tenets of Mormonism, but I do find many times that some practice rituals that could very easily apply to my beliefs and prove valuable.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One religion that is fascinating to many LDS members is Judaism. Why so? Well what is practiced today is what was practiced by many of the Prophets we learn from even today. Because the establishment of the Jewish beliefs are so steeped in their tradition as well the similarities between what is practiced today and what was practiced in the time of Jesus are not far removed. In addition the existence of the Jewish State does not directly compete with the beliefs of Mormonism rather it is the religion that was established and had existed for hundreds or years prior to the Christ establishing the new Law.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For these reasons I look intently upon what they do as if I was viewing a bit from my past. It is enchanting for the same reason Watching Saving private Ryan was enchanting to me. Now I don't mean in the sense of complete pleasure other than the pleasure I derive from knowing, seeing examples of and near living my past and the past of my family.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I read about the Jewish community in Utah. As you can imagine, Utah is not known for the large Jewish presence however on this day I am presented with one of these culture learning experiences thank you to the KSL.com. I paused to think this is probably the same curiosity which draws others to pictures and stories about Mormonism.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A picture of a Jewish family that had gathered all the chametz from their house. Chametz is all items that are leavened. The Leavening is symbolic of one's arrogance and self awareness. They had then taken the chametz and burned it as a symbol of resetting ones self in humility and modesty. They do this at the beginning of Passover or the commemoration of the birth of the Jewish people.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a fascinating principle and the symbolism is something that could easily be taught in a LDS Sunday school class. This just strengthens my current vision of our existence. While I will always hold that God and Christ require an order be fulfilled in order to return to the presence of God. Even so, many have truth that can and will enhance my life and my chances and being successful in this life and hereafter if I just open my mind to hear and see the truths they know and teach.</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">“</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><a class="sqq" href="http://thinkexist.com/quotation/never-seek-to-exult-over-others-faults-deal/356323.html" style="font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none;">Never <b>seek</b> to exult over others' faults; deal sympathetically with the errors and mistakes of others; hear only<b>good</b> <b>things</b> about them; and do not give an ear to scandals.</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">” - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Atharva Veda</span></span></i><br />
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</span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36251429.post-41167871860218317012011-03-07T00:49:00.000-07:002011-03-07T00:49:40.284-07:00SarahSo long ago just a blip in time<br />
when you came here to stay<br />
only a memory,<br />
a stop along the way.<br />
<br />
A figment almost yet I held your hand<br />
such a small human footprint<br />
touching my skin.<br />
with no glint.<br />
<br />
I know the reasoning,<br />
no doubt what you are now,<br />
but the loss of potential<br />
still stings in us how.<br />
<br />
You have great company<br />
my mom and her's too.<br />
They can talk about the would have beens<br />
or could have beens with you.<br />
<br />
Help us all how you can<br />
as you watch us struggle.<br />
Be a happy high five<br />
a comfort shoulder for trouble.<br />
<br />
We don't see what you do<br />
probably couldn't and live on<br />
in a world so imperfect<br />
you couldn't stay long.<br />
<br />
So this thought in passing<br />
on the day that you touched.<br />
Til the would haves and could haves<br />
are the here now not was.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Sarah Lorraine Burge 3.7.2000</b></span>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05469880164815695219noreply@blogger.com1