Busy as a bee and a bit sad too

It's been a busy month for many of us, myself included. Graduations, birthdays, a baptism, two wedding anniversaries and a wedding to boot. At the beginning of the month I began collaboration with a young artist to illustrate a Christmas story I hope to have in print by November. Young artists are exciting to work with, they have so few obstacles. On the other hand, they really, really have a tough time staying focused on the task at hand. It'll get done but I must remain flexible as to the thought of a strict deadline. That simply ain't going to happen.

Two other events that took place were the passing of two friends. One was a man whom I believe was the epitome of a true gentleman. Worked hard, maintained an admirable moral code in business and personal life and still enjoyed life to the fullest. Sailing, campfires with his wife and friends, and traveling filled his time and brought many story worthy adventures. I will miss his spontaneous smile and wholesome hilarity. The other was a woman I've met with occasionally but known mostly through her family. She didn't have an easy life that woman. Without getting into details she raised six kids the best she could while protecting herself and them from extremely difficult life situations. Sometimes homeless, sleeping in parks and working long hours for sometimes less than minimum wage. She had the term, "getting by" down to a science. Making a mother bear seem rather tame really. At the end of her life, ridden with cancer and infection, weak, and wracked with pain her son and daughter in law worked tirelessly day and night to bring her what soothing comfort they could. Sacrificing their own, less than comfortable lives to do what they could. This lady passed away quietly surrounded by her family as peacefully as possible. It's finally time for her to get some rest, never to worry again. Leaving a legacy of love and strength for her children to carry them through in good times as well as bad.

As I've mentioned before here, I have, what I call my book of heroes. These two people have their names placed in my book so I don't forget just how good ordinary people really are so very strong, inspirational and special sometimes. I'll try to write more often. .................Joe..

Live laugh and love........You'll be glad you did.

I can't write today

Write, write, write! That's what my editor advised me to do. Write at every opportunity. Write whatever comes to my mind. Write for myself, write for others. Write, write, write. He'll take care of the rest. I do what I can. But, not today. There is nothing in my mind to write about. I'm all writed out.

For months I've been hard at it, writing on a number of subjects, sometimes all through the night, during breaks and lunch time at work and even eating dinner at the keyboard to get it all down. I think I emptied my mind out. When I try to think of something to write it comes out reading like a kindergarten paper, emotionless, forced, crude, without purpose. I think I need a break. Today I won't write. Maybe tonight I won't write. Perhaps I won't write for a long time. This has happened before. I know the routine. It's a necessary evil. I have to take time to refill my empty glass of motivation. I've poured it all out and now it's gone.

The garden awaits digging and seeding, the basement cries out for organization. My man machines in the garage beg to be filled with gasoline and explode into life. The brown trout in the nearby creek require harvesting. My boat awaits my loving touch and attention. My bicycles yearn for the open road. It is their time. Writing can wait. Today I expand my horizons, rekindling the zest and fire of life beyond the desk. Inspiration will follow. Wish me well........................Joe

Good Friday

Thinking over this whole "Good Friday" thing kind of makes you wonder doesn't it? Considering that Good Friday is the anniversary of the horrible death of a gentle and honorable man.

According to biblical as well as secular history, 2000 or so years ago a group of people grabbed a guy under false accusations with the help of a lying traitor, tried and found innocent, whipped, scourged, forced to carry a huge wooden cross, nailed to that same cross, speared in the chest and died while his mother watched. Not most peoples idea of a "Good Friday" is it? Unless, of course you knew ahead of time what would happen 3 days later. But even then the pain and anguish was real. So why do we call it Good Friday? As unspeakably horrible as it was, Good Friday was the beginning of something better. The world was changed forever. Regardless of your religious convictions I believe Good Friday has something to teach us all.

How often do we face life changing catastrophe? Life is full of such stuff. How do we handle it? When tragedy strikes do we have the courage to do what has to be done? Do we accept the pain of doing the right thing in the hope of a better future? I feel that each of us, at at least one time or another in our lives faces our own Good Friday. A lesson was shown us a few years back when a guy who's arm got stuck in a land slide. He cut that arm off so he could return to civilization and live. he is now without an arm but the rest of him is alive and well. The cost was worth it. Every day, sick people enter operating rooms, enduring surgery and the following recovery period, perhaps chemotherapy so they may live longer healthier lives. Other people sever abusive relationships, sometimes disrupting their own lives and the lives of their children, suffering poverty for years to stop further injury and finally be safe again, maybe in another state or country. None of those things are easy. However, any one of those decisions and thousands of others could be for each of us our own personal Good Friday. Sometimes, what may almost appear hopeless can be overcome, even in the face of tremendous pain and seemingly insurmountable odds.

I know a real crude, rather uncivilized guy that isn't particularly pleasant to be around most of the time. He has a tattoo on his chest saying in huge, bold letters, Good Friday! Accompanied by the sun breaking over the horizon. As crude and uncivilized and smelly as he is, he is known by a select few as a guy that quietly helps people in trouble, any time, any place. I asked him about his rather unique tattoo. He said he found out what it means when he was finally released from captivity back in Vietnam.

To some of us Good Friday means a lot. To some of us Good Friday means nothing. To all of us Good Friday and the resulting Easter Sunday may have a very encouraging message. A free message. But we don't all have to tattoo it to our chest do we now?..........................Joe