A Memorial Day Post

 Like typical Americans we did a couple days of camping and are now home and set to have a BBQ today. Memorial Day weekend is special in many ways for us here. My son’s birthday falls near this weekend each year and another person near and dear to us shares a birthday with my son, someone named John Wayne. So, this weekend is full of celebration, remembrance, and Americana. You can always find a John Wayne marathon somewhere on the television this weekend.

All that said, there is obviously something much deeper about Memorial Day that strikes a chord with Americans. The somber pride in which we hold our fallen in such a high and precious regard. Many if not all of us have lost someone in war or have ancestors that served and gave the ultimate sacrifice. On Memorial Day we take the time to remember them and have discussions with family and friends about our lost heroes.

 My step-dad, uncles, served in Vietnam. My grandfathers both served in the Marines in WWII in the Pacific, one at Tarawa. All made it home.  Another uncle was on the U.S.S Indianapolis which was sunk by the Japanese and in a sense he never returned home in that he was never the same mentally. He floated at sea for four days witnessing his friends being taken down by sharks. He was only 17 years old and needed constant care the rest of his life. Never having a wife and children, just sitting in a chair writing endlessly words one could barely put together. 

I also take the time to remember a man I never knew. My parents gave me my middle name “Vincent” after this man. He was a lifelong friend of my Dad’s. He enlisted in the Army at 17 and when he graduated he was days away from going to Vietnam. My Dad said the last time he saw him was outside of a skating rink in their home town.  My Dad said their last conversation went something like this. ” Hey, Vince where you going?” Vince said ” I’m looking for this dude that’s messing with Gina and I’m going to beat his ass before I ship out. I’m going to marry her when I get back” My Dad just laughed and said “I’ll see ya when you get home Vince, be careful man”

Three weeks later Vince was killed in Vietnam by an ambush while out on patrol. Ironically as life is a complete mystery. I would end up at the same high school as Vince & Gina’s son also named Vincent. He was the son that Vince Sr. never knew he had. I hung out with Vince for a year and didn’t know this was my Dad’s friend’s son and my name sake until one day I casually mentioned his name and my Dad about fell out of his chair. It would end up that Vince Jr. would learn more about his Dad from my father and myself. Things he never knew. We had a special bond every since. Who says the Lord doesn’t work in mysterious ways?

Last night my birthday boy son and I sat down to watch a documentary on Iwo Jima. I’ve had it for years and never opened it until last night. A great documentary in full color and with the most important pieces…that of interviews with the surviving heroes to tell their stories. These interviews always get me choked up. I’m getting that way now as I write. When these heroes speak about their experience you can look into their tired eyes and see the fear, the sadness, and the pride all in one whirlwind of emotion. When you listen to them speak you see kind faced old men grandfatherly in their gentle manhood but as they remember they are seeing themselves as a young scared Marine figting for their dear lives and their loved ones. They just wanted to win the war and get home.

My son who normally at twelve you would think would get bored watching these documentaries playing out a war so many decades old. It probably seems like a dream or something distant he doesn’t understand. Yet, I watched him watch me in my reactions and occasionally comment or an explanation of events and my son gets it, he understands. If I can leave this world knowing that he understands patriotism and honor, I will be blessed and I think he’s already there.  After all the boy shares a birthday with John Wayne you know..

In closing this rather sporadic and drifting blog post, I want to take the time to mention our first heroes. Often times we remember those from WWII, Korea, or Vietnam on this day. Yet, our first heroes and first freedom fighters were those of the Revolution. Without this group of rugged and determined people we wouldn’t even be so honored as to have a Memorial Day to discuss. It was these great men and women that paved a hard fought path for us and instilled the great American fighting spirit in all of us. To that I am grateful. Our country is one of the youngest on Earth and yet has the oldest Constitution on the planet. There is something to be said about that. It is our early Americans who made this all possible.

Many can argue that America is involved with too many world issues and in too many wars. Yet, I believe that America in being blessed by God is obligated to share its blessings with the world. In doing so wherever liberty and freedom are assaulted or is needed, the United States of America will be there. For our greatest blessing given to us by God is liberty and freedom. So on this day let’s remember those that gave all to make it so and be blessed in it.

The Impact Of People In Our Lives

 I’ve been reading a book by Father George W. Rutler called “Cloud Of Witnesses- Dead People I Knew When They Were Alive” It’s a clever and thoughtful book about the people that have affected him in great and small ways. A book with short vignettes about people famous and others not so much that he has known. The point of the book (to me) is really a reminder of how people we meet in life become a part of our personality, our personal make up, or at least our thought process. The impact of these people on our lives sometimes is not recognized until these people are long gone or at least no longer a part of our daily thinking.

 We all know that our parents, grandparents, and best of friends are a tremendous impact on our lives. They are first and foremost in our thoughts. Often they are in our nightly prayers before we end our day. Yet, there are others that we may not recognize immediately and how they impact us, they are tucked away into our subconscience or filed away into the storage room of our mind. Probably or actually to be a part that “life flashing before our eyes” as we leave this world. That’s the way I see it anyway.

 I’ve been keeping Fr. George’s book in mind as I go through my days. I try to look at every conversation and interaction with people, whether in person, by phone, or social media as a potential life changing moment or at least trying to recognize it as a human moment to grow something. All interactions between people are not always a positive thing, however if one keeps the potential of a positive interaction in mind when talking to people then there is an opportunity for something good to come of it.

 We’ve all heard the term “Life Is Short” and it is. As we grow older we attend more and more funerals we see our friends and loved ones go through hard times and great jubilation. Little ones in our lives grow like weeds, from diapers to graduation to marriage etc. We look at things and we say “Man, time flies”  and it certainly does. How many times has this happened to you and you ask yourself, I wish I had said this or done more for so and so? I think everyone has to some extent or another in their lives.

 The detail of Fr. Rutler’s interaction with the people in his life is in and of itself incredible. This alone tells me the importance of being a great listener. Many many times I certainly fail at this. Hearing people out and listening to their concerns is key and taking in each moment with people as a learning or growing moment is essential.  Life is indeed short. We may not have the prominent friends and life stories as Fr.Rutler but each and every person that enters our lives whether in friendship or in disagreement have an impact on our lives. From the smallest to greatest interactions in with our fellow brothers and sisters they all make a part of who we are. We should alway be aware daily of what we say, who we talk to, and view it as an opportunity for good for you and for them as well.

 I have the oddest of persons in mind for a “forgotten impact” on my life who I will blog about shortly. Thanks for reading and I hope this made sense. If it didn’t, maybe we should talk.

Please check out Fr. Rutler’s “Cloud Of Witnesses- Dead People I Knew When They Were Alive”

God Bless,
Jimi

You Can’t Change 2000 Years

In recent weeks President Obama’s HHS mandate has caused a firestorm of controversy on many levels. The HHS mandate would require Catholic hospitals and institutions to provide free contraception and abortive drugs to its employees. After days of media quips, on-line outrage, and NYC ArchBishop Timothy Dolan and the U.S. council of Bishops voicing their concerns, and a law suit filed by EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network). The President brought forth what he deemed an “accommodation” which stated that the institutions’ insurance companies would be responsible for the handling of “women’s health care” A step that furthered the burden on the Catholic Church and still violated their conscience. They felt their freedom of religion was still being violated. So here we are……

The issue has taken off in many directions. In the mainstream media it has become a “Women’s Health” issue. It’s become an issue of stats and numbers and polls from both MSM & the far left to justify the President’s mandate. It’s become an attack on President Obama by some and an attack on the Catholic Church by others. It’s become a cry to battle by pro-life & pro-choice groups who are fresh off the Planned Parenthood & Susan G.Komen debacle. With the Catholic Church it is an issue of religious liberty and a blatant attack on it’s concscience. It’s a difficult issue on both fronts for all involved. Now just add hot water, stir, and we have ourselves a real problem that has been in waiting for decades.

I suppose one’s views in regards to this matter may come down to their faith or their having no faith at all, as so many of today’s hardcore issues display. Yet, I would also guess that even those without faith do not look at abortion as something similar to having a tooth pulled. The pain of abortion can last for years for some. Mother and Father alike.

On a personal level and from my heart. Pregnancy was something that wasn’t an issue until after my wife and I were married for ten years. There was a time when we thought about not having kids at all> We had seen so much and done so much together and thought we could keep going that way,childless. Then her “biological clock” kicked in. Our first pregnancy resulted in a miscarriage. I didn’t know how to handle it. It was a travel through a weird sadness. For my wife, even more. She became sort of a recluse for a few weeks. Stayed in the basement watching TV and wanting to be alone, she hardly ate. All I could do was comfort her. I think she felt like “less of a woman” , I can’t expalin it really. In the next two and a half years, we had our boy and our girl. They are our lives now. Our Boy is eleven and our girl is nine. Blessings are always on the way.

Just the same in our family we’ve experienced just the opposite view of life. Someone very close to us has had four abortions. Her first at 15yrs old. The rest well…were essentially more birth control. I do not judge vocally, I try to erase even a fleeting thought of judgement in my mind when it happens. I just look and see the difference in thought process and how things could have been different. You can’t know what may be going through one’s mind or their circumstances, but you you just ask that people may see that the answer is almost always….Life. God will handle it from there.

Let’s talk about the numbers. It’s been said in the last week (even by Nancy Pelosi) that 98% of Catholic have or are using some sort of birth control. I’ve seen polls posted on line by leftist sites saying pretty much the same thing. Nancy Pelosi calls herself a Catholic. So does one of the leftist writers in regards, Eric Boehlert of Media Matters. Both Catholic. Yet neither one has bothered to ask the true question about this 98% number. What percentage of these proclaimed Catholic women were married? Why is this question important? Simple. If women in this number were having sex outside of marriage they were sinning against God and the Church anyway and their counted number means nothing. Then one must ask, what percentage of that number were indeed married? Well, if they were using contraception as well, they are going against Church doctrine (husbandu too) as well. So where does that leave us? A very small percentage of the media’s number that matters and a front essentially against Church doctrine that is 2,000 years old. It’s not easy being Catholic, I am not exempt from its difficulties, let me tell you. Yet the Catholic Church is what it is, and it doesn’t sway or change for what is fashionable or what is politically correct.

The Church for 2,000 years has been through every persecution and turmoil imaginable. From the death of martyrs by beheading, filleting, burning at the stake, to being sent into the arena to be mauled by wild beasts. Christians have been soaked in oil and impaled an lighted by fire to shine the way for the worst of kings and emperors. Bishops have been forced into hiding. Christians have been driven to the catacombs to worship among the dead. What I am saying is that today’s secular society and governments are incapable of forcing us out of today’s arena of thought and input.

We have a voice. I believe that 2012 will be the year when Christians voices will be heard the loudest. I believe that abortion and it’s bringing forth the “Culture Of Death” has affected much more of our society and the dumbing down and graying of what is right and wrong and will be talked about loudly.. I wonder if we can’t protect our children, who can we protect?

MSM would have you believe that the Catholics view of contraception and abortion are something new…. Let’s look into that.

The Christian view on abortion and contraception goes back to the earliest years of Christianity. To the first century and beyond.. See the writings of ….
St. Clement of Alexandria
St. Hyppolytus
St.Augustine
St.Basil The Great
St.Jerome
Martin Luther

To quote Fr. Mitch Pacwa of EWTN ” It is not the governemnt’s job to convert us to its way of thinking, but as Christians it is our job to convert the government to ours”

Jimi971

The Nativity

Over two thousand years ago. Just grasp that number, that amount of years…. The beginning of the changing of the world.

Luke 22:42: “Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

The Immaculate Conception. The gospel as written by Luke..a doctor someone who is believed to have known Mary and conversed with her. Imagine that. Speaking with Mary, the mother of God. The mother of our saviour. Can you imagine?

Can you imagine being good St.Joseph? Your wife comes to you and tells you that she has spoken to an Angel and will give birth to a Saviour? The great Emmanuel? In doubt and confusion and certain ridicule in his a village he is visited by an Angel and told not to worry and to flee. Joseph was a well known carpenter, and taught Jesus the art. How do you look into the eyes of a child that knows why He is here on Earth and show Him how to make a wagon wheel or to cut a 45degree angle for a truss of home. How does one do that when He said…..

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”. (John 14:2,3—KJV)

He was a child being raised by Saints and yet prepares mansions in Heaven for all of us…. The great carpenter prepares your home in Heaven.

When Mary and Joseph were told to flee and told “There is no room at the Inn” They were lead to a stable, some envision a wooden structure, others a cave carved out of a hill. Either way a humble preparation for the birth of Jesus was being prepared. I can imagine Joseph like any father nervous and cleaning the cave or stable, clearing away the manger and chasing off animals in getting ready for his childs birth.

The Angel of the Lord came first to simple shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. The Angel didn’t go to Kings or leaders of the world, but to shepherds. A King is born. The King of Kings. Of humble beginnings and humble end on this Earth.

King of Kings. One can imagine Herod and Caesar pacing the floor of their palaces concerned about the uprising that may unfold. Marble floors Caesar had, the sun in the world that day never set on Roman land. This tiny baby born in a stable’s kingdom reigns forever. As powerful rule and palaces and great structures are now archaeological research, the reign of Jesus out lasts those that persecute and mocked Him. They are dust now, Jesus is life.

In the last couple of weeks I’ve been listening to different preachers on radio in my travels. I paraphrase one that particularly hit home with me. He pointed out this…. God’s first, Adam sinned at the Tree of Life bringing sin and death to the world. Jesus (the second Adam) Brought life at the tree of Death and freedom from sin. Adam was made to flee the Garden of Eden naked and shamed in sin. Jesus was mocked and clothed in royal red as king of the Jews to bring renewed life from sin.

From humble beginnings and the blessed womb and a cave made a temporary home by Mary & Jospeh which brought life for all. To a death in a humble tomb that brought life eternal.

Merry Christmas!

The Great Santa Stand Off

Maybe some of you don’t remember when you were told that Santa wasn’t real.. Maybe some of you were never told there was a Santa at all. However, there are some (like myself) that remember finding out there was no Santa on the playground at school in the holiday season, in some evil dark late November. I was maybe five or six and still believed with all me heart. I was still hanging onto my best Christmas ever the year before. My parents were by no means rich, but my parents always managed to make Christmas a BIG deal. I had gotten over the years an awesome ten speed and an Intellivision in my great teen years. One year I got a Kramer Stryker electric guitar, later to be confiscated by my parents for unacceptable grades. They kept my guitar so long I figured my parents to by this time have Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption” mastered.

I remember that last Christmas when I believed in Santa vividly. I was in a school Christmas play and was wearing Elmer Fudd pajamas and wearing a top hat, please don’t ask for an explanation because I don’t remember the reason for that… Its something parents and teachers make you do because they think it’s cute. That year in our old drafty house I remember running down the stairs (14 plus a landing) to see the tree lit up in awesome 1970′s-ish big fat colored bulbs, a beautiful organic natural Manger underneath made of sticks and moss that should’ve burst into flames set fire to our real tree and killed all of us. It didn’t it. I was wearing my Elmer Fudd jammies (minus top hat) and I got some Star Wars actions figures, some awesome Evel Knievel and Six Million Dollar man things. Yet, big time is coming! My step dad dragged out from behind the tree…. A Dallas Cowboys footlocker. Something I had seen in a catalog. What was cool about it, is that I could put all my favorite things in it, as I still do today…I still have it. Secrets and treasures stored in that old beaten old footlocker to this day.

Kids are really no different than adults, they have their cliques and their little networks…It always starts at recess on the playground. The existence of Santa is discussed and resolved on the playground. No different than the rumor of the kid caught picking his/her nose in class. It all happens on the school playground…This is where I got the devastating news…about Santa. My best friend and neighbor Mike McCoskey told me that his mom told him that there was no Santa, I sucked it up and controlled that thought all day long in that all too familiar not in the belly and broke down once I got home. My Mom called Mikey’s mom and then I got the whole “Son, Santa lives in all of us and was a real person named Nicholas” What an unacceptable answer I thought. My best friend’s mom and my parents just killed Santa.

We’ve all been there. Many of us remember recieving the news about Santa as we remember where we were when the Space Shuttle blew up, or when President Reagan was shot. However, now that I have kids…I have something else going on…

My son is eleven and my daughter is nine. They have never questioned me about the existence of Santa. They seem excited when I talk about Santa…but they look at each other when I mention his name with peculiar look..A look not a smile, like they are a tiny team up to something.

I know my kids. Though they can be hellions I know one thing, they are very good about being aware of other people’s feelings. I am convinced that because I am such a Christmas kinda guy and of the Clark W. Griswold variety that they are trying to protect me from the death of Santa. I think they are trying to protect Dad from the great knowledge they’ve learned from that vast playground network. The truth learned on the asphalt. So my kids are far beyond the Santa years, and considering Dad’s feelings about Santa. I have a feeling my kids are going to sit me down and tell me that Santa is not real. Until then in our home we have a Santa stand off…