I HAVE THE RIGHT...
To tell it like it is - especially since, unlike many others, I do know the limits of good taste and do not trespass them (unless people really beg for it!) I HAVE THE RIGHT...
To divulge truths to those who have not the foggiest clue what the truth is, about whatever subject it may be - for they desperately need the enlightenment! And God Sent me, Willed me into existence, put me upon this earth... but to help, for a time. I HAVE THE RIGHT...
To reshape, repackage, rewrap my mold - for the world.
Not to justify my existence in this world.
To mingle or not mingle without discrimination as I see fit.
Not to keep the ethnicities separate within me either.
To have all the bad hair days that I want to have - or that my hair feels like having (it does have a life of its own, you know!)
Not to be responsible for people's discomfort with my physical ambiguity (for neither I nor is anyone else symmetrical: the illusion of symmetry is everywhere though!)
To identify with whatever creed I want - within reason (and I always have common sense ruling my decisions - worry not about that!)
Not to justify my ethnic legitimacy. I HAVE THE RIGHT...
To identify myself differently than strangers expect me to identify myself.
Not to use my real name if I don't feel like it; pennames in writ, borrowed identities for a night out - if no ill intent comes with them, it is okay!
To identify myself differently from how my parents identify me.
Not to identify myself as a pack of hereditary flaws and ticks!
To identify myself differently from my brothers and sisters.
Not to identify myself with any relatives at all!
To identify myself differently in different situations.
Not to divulge too much information - and not to be too much of a nice guy - for my own good! I HAVE THE RIGHT...
To create a vocabulary to communicate with about all the things I need to pass on to others now and then - and in so, being as multicultural as I want to be!
Not to shut myself in a corner in a cultural ghetto!
To change my identity over my lifetime -- and more than once too!
Not to be labeled, briefed, filed or debriefed. Or stamped!
(Sorry; I hate tattoos too!)
To have loyalties and identification with more than one group of people.
Not to play favorites - nepotism sucks eggs!
To freely choose whom I befriend and love.
Not to be told who is right for me, who isn't and who to marry!!!
I HAVE THE RIGHT...
To talk to my God - and to expect the impossible
For all is possible - to Him! I HAVE THE RIGHT...
Not to lose patience - though I do - because nothing is gained when even that intangible is lost... I HAVE THE RIGHT...
To pray, to eat, to drink, to breathe, to listen and to observe - as much as I feel as though I need to... In moderation, for anything in excess becomes one of the seven deadly sins! I HAVE THE RIGHT...
Not to blaspheme - if I want to take it out on somebody, I shall pick up a mirror and let MYSELF have it! Self-slapping is not recommended though - much less self-flagellation...
I HAVE THE RIGHT...
To love. Love is all. Love is Life. God Is Love. Love is God's Gift to me. Hence...
I Shall Love in a world of hatred. +++
With kudos to Helen of Perryopolis aka Irene aka Galadriel Lothlorien, for the friendly, truly luminous inspiration!
Glenn Burnie, Maryland resident Patricia Bean died of a brain hemorrhage a mere ten months after finally moving out of a certifiably haunted house where she, her two sons, her daughter, her husband, her second spouse and her beloved pet all went literally through hell.
For, aside from hearing strange noises in the house, and having witnessed various other alarming manifestations and poltergeist activity, there were very soon indeed far more troubling events there; the husband's behaviour changed almost overnight - he was a gentle, caring man who became overbearing, violent and abusive from one day to the next. He then vanished and never resurfaced again. In that, there is a first parallel with a case I have first-hand knowledge of; the husband was attached to the abode and would impede a move at all costs, for various reasons. And then, he was the first to leave there, too - because he died, from a massive stroke. In the case of Patty Bean's husband, he was also the first to leave the house that he stubbornly insisted his entire family remain in - even though his wife and kids all felt uneasy there from day one - but he left by mysteriously disappearing, not the same as the case I have first-hand knowledge of, at all. One may imagine he simply escaped, relatively unharmed, the cursed abode in question. He had left for a walk one night, after dinner, and simply never returned. His disappearance remains unsolved after all these years and his whereabouts are totally unknown since that night. It is as if the devil took him off the face of the earth...
Patricia Bean remained in the house due to her financial situation afterwards - even though she was terrified of it. She heard footsteps in the house, at day and at night - and so did her two sons. Her daughter had fled the home, getting married at sixteen in order to never have to live there again. In Patty's daughter's own words, "the boyfriend didn't matter - I just wanted to get out of that house." And she did, marrying far too young, the first one that came along... Patty would remain terrified for years, living in that house with her two youngest sons from that point on. One night, the ghost of a horribly scarred man came to her bed and tried to strangle her. She felt the ghostly hands around her neck, as she could no longer breathe. And then it eased its grip on her and let her live. For some unfathomable reason, it had effectively "allowed her to stay" both among the living and in the house, if only for a while longer... One day, though, she felt unwell and her eldest boy called his big sister on the phone, for help. The daughter reluctantly returned to that home to be of any assistance she could be and wound up having to call an ambulance - Patricia Bean had suffered a mild stroke.
From that day onward, Patricia would never again be the same woman she had been before moving into that house. After coming out of the hospital, she didn't listen to her own mother and displayed her own brand of stubbornness now in relation to that home, electing to stay there despite everything that had been happening. Once again, similarities with the case that I am aware of on a first-hand basis arise: after the husband's death, in which case we have the wife becoming "attached" to the abode she had once wanted so ardently to leave forevermore, simply because her husband had lived there for so long. Self-imposed financial restraint also playing a factor, however it was the wish of the widow to simply die where her husband had practically died too. The exact same thing as what happened to Patricia Bean, in a way - only with even more tragic consequences, given that there are two demises instead of one. (And in the Patricia Bean case, we haven
Patricia eventually met a new love interest, a handyman who came to make repairs to the house, and she began a timid relationship with him that quickly blossomed. This man was a believer - and on a particular day that he was working outside the house, he saw the ghost of a woman standing in a window right in front of him. He was so close that he could clearly see that it was not Patricia at all but someone else - so he went back inside to inquire about who she might be. It didn't look to be Patricia's mother either, whom he had met before. Alas, the ghastly looking woman had disappeared when he came into the house to see who was really there... On another occasion, at night, after he had spent the night with Patricia, all seemed well and blissful until the two lovers shook off the cobwebs and truly woke up to find the family pet's fur all over them - but UNDERNEATH THE BEDCOVERS. There was dog fur all over the house too - especially in the bathroom and all over the sink in there. For the next two weeks, neighbors helped look for the family's beloved pet dog - and it was never to be found again either. The dead who resided in that house had claimed a second victim, it seemed. They had their sights set on a third: Patricia herself.
Even when her new man pleaded for her to leave that house, Patricia would have none of it. He managed to convince her to summon a priest's help, in order to bless the house - at least that. It actually made matters worse. The spirits in that house went into a frenzy like never before - this time, the poltergeist activity was such that, as all in the family were in danger of physical injury, Patricia finally agreed to leave that house, on the spot.
Ten months later, she was dead.
Her son, Billy Bean (not to be confused with the gay baseball player nor the actor) is scarred for life - but even he has not added two plus two in that tragic story.
For he hadn't realized that it was that very same evil spirit that resided in the house, who had tried to harm his mother several times and clearly had it against her from the very beginning, the evil spirit that had terrorized them all - it was that spirit that had killed his mother in the end too, despite the move. The evil spirit caused her first stroke and later her fatal brain hemorrhage.
This is exactly what happened to the other case I mentioned, the one I have ''first-hand knowledge'' of - only it happened to the man instead of the woman, in that case.
For the dead can affect the living - in far more insidious ways than merely causing a heart attack when they spook someone through materializing unexpectedly right in front of them. The dead can cause fatalities. One has to realize several more things, too: the dead outnumber the living in such a way that we hardly stand a fighting chance in a haunting case like this; a single evil spirit such as this one, clinging on to a material place, could attract many more spirits, creating a very unhealthy place for the living, especially those that are naturally sensitive to such things, which seemed to be the case for Patricia Bean. She was literally attacked by all sides - and totally blindsided too. The mysterious intricacies of the unseen's effects on the tangible are, alas, not well-documented; the inability of the medical establishment to accurately explain how things such as strokes, aneurysms and similar "accidents" happen imply that unseen factors are at work there indeed... ALL OF THAT and more is already indicative that there is a correlation there and that we do not comprehend what forces are causing all these things. In Patricia Bean's case, as with many others, the evidence points at the true source of these forces and their more than likely nefarious effects upon the living: and this is the revengeful dead, full of bitterness towards the living who occupy their erstwhile living space now, have ample motive there - that is for sure. So much so that they will hasten the living's departure from this world - forcing their victims to effectively join their ranks in the process... Misery loves company, don't you know?
In the Glenn Burnie, MARYLAND case, the evidence is undeniable: for the house was not the only one haunted on the block either. In fact, the whole block was haunted - many residents had gone through very similar frightening experiences, none as tragic as Patricia Bean's but all very traumatic nonetheless. A retired policeman who used to patrol that very neighbourhood before the Beans moved in, mister John Romine, was interested in further researching the subject and publishing a book about it - and he is the one who told Billy what had really gone on there for all these long years... All of these houses had been built on the site of an old military camp - one where many soldiers had died miserably. The ghost Patricia had seen trying to strangle her was identified eventually (because of his scarred face) as being most probably Edward Zipprian, an infantry trooper who had maimed himself while using the faulty equipment at the disposal of the troops back in his day... Alas for her, Patty was evidently more ''attuned'' to such ethereal things than the rest of the neighbourhood, making her a prime target not only for a troubled soul such as Zipprian's but all the others who were not resting in peace as well. And it is my personal theory that too many of such ''contacts', can and should cause things such as strokes and the like.
The ghostly woman though, seen by both Patricia's new love interest and her son Billy, remains a total and complete mystery, even as to why she was even there...
My theory is that she was an otherworldly observer; maybe even a past victim of this haunting as well who, just like Patricia Bean did, lost her own life in the process... It is after all more than probable that the victims' spirits "hang around" the material world too - why should it be exclusively the evil disgruntled ones, mad at their own fate and prone to take it out on every innocent that happens to come by down the pike...? No - it is not just them who stick around longer than they should - and we can thank God for that.
3. Thou shalt respect all weaknesses and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them. (In a society that idolizes the strong and ridicules the meek? Fat chance of that happening...!)
4. Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born. (I can't do it myself - I don't expect anyone else to be able to!)
5. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy. (But... Cowardice is seen as wisdom today - fall back and live to fight another day! Right...)
6. Thou shalt make war against the infidel without cessation and without mercy. (Some muslims do that - the rest of us...? Depends also on our definition of what an "infidel" is... AND on one's code of ethics and set of morals...!) 7. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God. (Feudalism is dead. Long live capitalism - NOT!) 8. Thou shalt never lie, and shalt remain faithful to thy pledged word. (People don't pledge anymore - and they don't follow through with things either!)
9. Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone. (Épa, carralho... In this day and age of "me, myself and I" - in the era of individualism? Not likely to happen...)
10. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against injustice and evil. (Now, first of all, it is not given to everyone to have the gift of ubiquity - and one has to be able to tell the difference between what and who is Right and Good and what and who is Wrong and Evil before one can be a "champion"...! And THAT is REALLY not a given, to anyone, on these confusing days!)
- Leon Gautier, The Decalogue (with commentary by... me!)
IN CONCLUSION, HENCE... WHO EVER DOES ANY OF THESE THINGS NOWADAYS, LEON?!?
Oh, that's right - you're from another era, my man! And it shows...!
(Leon would be appalled by the likes of Mr. Brown...! You do know who Mr. Brown is... don't you? But that's another story!)
My, they would have made a nice couple, wouldn't they... Monica?
Monica H. of Cuernavaca, Mexico is Senhora Margarida's loving niece and took care of her for five years. I, Luciano of Laval, am Senõr João's loving son - and I took care of him for thirteen years. My father and her aunt NEVER MET. She and I NEVER MET - however, she had befriended me on a website and I had thought that my way with words could have been complemented well by her artistic talents. Not to be, ever apparently, since she let her alleged friends down south lead her to distrust me and downright delete me from her insignificant "friends list". Too bad - we'll never know what artistic wonders we could have weaved together, what a collaboration could have wrought. Unlike dad and auntie there, she and I are of the same generation - only five years separating us (again, the dame being older than the dude. Gentlemen never ask a lady's age - I didn't ask hers; she divulged that information to the whole web community! Besides, in the light of false, fanciful and outright insincere "friendship", I don't feel like being "gentle" - and so I will divulge this; the loving and bereft niece has flawless skin but she has passed the 40 year mark already at this point, aye...)
Ladies first though, always... even when they act not as they should, normally would... logically could have!
In her own words, an eulogy to the memory of her dear aunt:
"You have no idea how much I apprecciate your support. For me you are my family also. You have givven me the strenght to keep on this very difficult time for me. I have to do some explainations. My aunt was almost like my mother. When I lost my parents she became kind of my adoptive mother. Margarita Gonzalez My aunt was a very well knokn arist in Europe and in Mexico was not as well known and recognized as she was in other countries. She was an extraordinary artist that moved every person she met with her soulfeeled and sweetness in interpretation of each song or musical piece All my chilhood and part of my teenager yearsI spend with her . She always had a word of support and comfort for me. She was an extraordinary woman that help all her family always. In the 15 years I had lived with her 5 of them had been very difficult due to her illness. I promissed her I would take care of her until her finall day. I quit on my personal life to giver the last years of happiness.And so I did. From the bottom of my heart, I want to give thanks to all my care2 family. You are also my family. You have been extraordinary and will give me strengh to continue with my life and to be brave to what I have to face from now and to the future. I want to make her a little homage here and share with you alittle of her art. She loved to share her art with you all. Auntie may tthe angels and God himself take care of. I know you are my angel Morchita. May your soul rest in peace''
As for me, I have posted on many sites, now, several homages to my saintly father - on the "care2" site in question I had ONE notable reaction to that material - from someone who was NOT on my famous "friends list" (unlike Monica here, such a short while back...)
An excerpt, again... Outre sa grande dévotion au Bienheureux Frère André et à Saint Joseph, mon père était particulièrement dévoué à Saint Bénédict et récitait la prière suivante régulièrement, dans sa langue natale (du temps où il n'était pas encore aphasique)
Oração a São Benedito, o mouro
Glorioso São Benedito, bem aventurado seja pela mansidão, paciência, sofrimento e outras santas virtudes ,sempre abençoado com a cruz da Redenção. Por vossa humildade e vossa caridade fostes remido na terra para gozar o fruto de vossas obras no céu, junto ao divino coro dos anjos, uma gloria eterna. Glorioso São Benedito, sede meu protetor amado , concedei-me a graça de que necessito para poder imitar as suas virtudes e as virtudes dos outros santos.(diz aqui a sua graça pedida)... e ainda a graça de toma-lo como modelo possa eu ser um dia digno das promessas de Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo.
Je n'ai jamais connu d'homme plus honnête... intègre... patient... dévoué à sa famille... que João Pimentel... mon père. (...) Ce monde était meilleur - et enrichi - avec sa présence. Ceux qui enrichissent ce monde nous quitte plus vite. Ceux qui souillent ce monde durent plus longtemps.
Comments: Clara Listensprechen (24) Monday May 8, 2006, 9:12 pm My condolences; for this to be posted in French, Portuguese, and English indicates to me that he raised one helluva kid. You look to me to be a credit to him thrice over.
Luciano P. (264) Tuesday May 9, 2006, 7:12 pm Of all my connections here, it is you who comments. I find this wonderfully ironic. And extremely considerate of you. See you soon, in the religious debates we both like so much Blessings.
See now - despite our OBVIOUS AND MAJOR religious differences (...), Clara L. came forth and gave me her sympathy - while the MAJORITY of my so-called "friends" - 264 of them - did NOT. And that DOES NOT even include the FORMER SO-CALLED "FRIENDS" who believed GOD KNOWS WHAT or whatever sickening LIE that it was ABOUT ME... the Teresas, Sissys and MONICAS of this cold cruel and oftentimes profoundly silly world!
Now, can anyone blame me for NOT giving out "blessings" to the bereaved Mexican senorita here, at this conjoncture... hmm?
I got none myself.
Both her aunt as my father know it well, though - I sympathize with her bereavement. I share her pain, her grief... If nothing else at all - ever. We are *all* one family in The Lord's Eyes, though; that nobody can ever change.
"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." - Martin Luther King Jr.
Born in the Age of Aquarius, destined to seek out truths in many an art form, trained as a historian and a journalist but truly a prose-lover... Luciano is out to dispel any clichés and reinvent them all both to the tune of a little something called the truth as also to his own image - and being old-fashioned, he does not mind that distinction one infinitesimal tiny bit at all...! "There are two ways to spread the light; be the candle... or the mirror that reflects It." I have chosen to be the latter... okay? ~*~
"To be not only a seeker of light... but a dream weaver of light" ~*~ For as surely as the moon reflects the light from the sun, you and I can reflect the Light from Above - and be, indeed, the light of this world! ~*~*~*~ NOTE: THERE ARE COOKIES ~ from at least three parties~ ON ALL OF MY BLOGS! ~*~ accept it!
