July 30, 2022
COMFORT, CRITICISM, some of both
How about I start this page off with an old-habitual-feature-not-forgotten? My Song In My Head! In the past blogs, I often told of the song in my head when I awaken each day—there is always one. A couple of days ago, my wife and I went out of town to a memorial (more on that later) and coming home we listened to an old Neil Diamond CD. The SIMH this morning was from that album: SoolaiMon! A song saying “hello,” saying “welcome,” saying “goodbye,” saying “peace be with you.” It just hasn’t left my mind this morning(4hrs hence.) As I mused several years ago, I have no reason for songs to come to mind each morning. If there was a pattern for types of songs or a conscious recollection, even a guilty one!—perhaps I’d understand it. But, nay.
Neil Diamond had this African folk greeting arranged for his concerts and it was often his opening number, I read. Glad he liked it that much, but he can have it back from me if he’d like!
The redeeming part of this song (if there is one) is about what and whom to follow—not about where it might take one. The lyrics, “God of my want, want, want” might seem prayer like. Followed by “Lord of my need, need, need!” might seem sort of obedient to one’s master. But, then following that thought simply takes us back to addiction or dependence or something worse, in the lyrics which follow. I don’t really think its lyricists were thinking spiritually—unless the spirits were in the bottle they were sipping on. Enough.
We had attended a final memorial for a remarkable 38 year life which ended earlier in the week. Josh Emmons, born with Apert Syndrome, having very limited physical abilities and mental acuity, died as a result of just too much: too much abnormality, too much surgery (stop counting at 26), just too wearied by it all to go on. His body just said no more, and the Lord agreed. Josh had a certain attitude towards the life he was privileged to lead that beheld, even magnified his innocence! He never complained unless his folks reminded him he had to take the trash out when he was playing a video game and didn’t want to be interrupted.
Josh was loved by so many people, for so many things, so many accolades about his overcoming nature — he had no joints in his fingers accept the base joint at the end of his hands. Doctors said he couldn’t lift anything, yet one of his business ventures was vending machines to which he carried soft drinks, 2 cases at a time, that sort of overcoming. All his family and closest friends had so many things to remember and the joy and laughter in celebrating his life had to ease the pain of his unexpected passing; comfort they all 4 needed!
We’ve known Josh’s mother since she was 16 and have loved her as if she was part of our own family. She is a remarkable mom to Josh and his two sisters. His father is the kind of a father who has done the necessary things to be what Josh and his siblings needed. I’m sure his career would have been enhanced, at least in the eyes of successful people, had he not taken the extra time and effort because Josh was his son. I have great admiration for the obvious love and devotion he showed (an example of “I AM SECOND.”) We were honored to be at the memorial.
One Last Thing: Our town is in the process of deciding to spend $4 million for infrastructure of a certain piece of property, turning it over to the land owner’s developer to build a grocery store which the bulk of the people do not want, nor think we need.
Most often, I would not be adverse to this, but it is a less than adequate property for this use and superior property for another much needed useful addition, having been in the plans for this city for 40 years now, yet has never been brought to fruition. How can we who are merely citizenry, just idly watch this take place! We feel powerless, so I suppose we are. I have opinions, but they haven’t called,…they haven’t written, …..like they don’t care for my great wisdom,….(sigh.)
Thanks for reading, the Elder.
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