BS: A Time to Reflect...a Time to Change

Subject: BS: A Time to Reflect...
From: Amergin
Date: 31 Dec 10 - 08:11 PM

As this year draws to a close, I feel I must reflect certain things, such as those who are no longer with us, and those things I need to change about myself. For instance in the last two years, I have lost one aunt, and four cousins. Aunt Max, had given up on life, no longer doing the things she loved, such as Bingo. She gave up after her youngest drowned under suspicious circumstances.

Her oldest, Butch, died within just hours of her, from cancer. Her brothers and father were bootleggers, back in the day. I will think on her tonight. Her oldest son, lived down in Baton Rouge so long, he was assimilated into the culture, coming up north cooking spicy cajun dishes. The first actual dish I ever cooked I learned from him. He was also a bright spot at every family reunion, laughing, and joking, making even the crankiest person there smile. I will reflect on the joy of his rememberance tonight.

Vicki was bipolar, among other things. Her illness led her down many wrong paths throughout her life, until she had alienated even those who loved her the most. She had given up, and laid down one night to never rise. I don't have many fond memories, but I will remember her, not for her insanity, but for the heart that is her mother, that I hold dear.

Another cousin, had rebuilt her life after her husband died during a mishap while he was being operated upon. She found new life, new love, and was looking forward to the years with her new man. yet she came down with cancer, that vile disease that tears people apart, destroying them, physically, and spiritually. She died just a couple of months after Butch.

A few days before this last Christmas, my cousin Joan, was hospitalised, because she was too busy taking care of her husband, who had a stroke, to take any time for herself. She got a staph infection in her heart, and could not fight it off. While he was in the hospital undergoing open heart surgery, she passed away. It is in regards to her that I am writing this. She was a major force with the family. I was a practice grandchild for her, until her kids finally gave her some of her own. We would hold long conversations, together, about books, writing, and about life. I am going to miss her, and tonight I will be thinking of her, of the unsung poetry that was her soul.

Happy New Year's.

Subject: RE: BS: A Time to Reflect...a Time to Change
From: Louie Roy
Date: 31 Dec 10 - 09:05 PM

Amergin I'm sorry to hear about all the tragic things that has happened to you and I do send my deepest condolence and hope things get better in 2011

Subject: RE: BS: A Time to Reflect...a Time to Change
From: Amos
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 01:08 AM

No matter how well or ill the year has treated you, the next one deserves a moment of serious reflection on how to make it better; if we are not making things better, we are just succumbing to entropy and apathy, the most lethal enemies known to life. A ferocious intent, a better way of understanding, a new view of the world, an improved attitude--any or all of the above will make the next year better than the last.

Subject: RE: BS: A Time to Reflect...a Time to Change
From: Amos
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 01:18 AM

On Changing Your Mind This Year.

from the New York Times.

Subject: RE: BS: A Time to Reflect...a Time to Change
From: Janie
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 02:00 AM

That is quite inspiring, Amos. Thanks for posting the link.

Amerigin, you sound as if you are full of grief. And why would you not be? I can relate.

{{{{{{{{{{hug}}}}}}}}}}.

Subject: RE: BS: A Time to Reflect...a Time to Change
From: Beer
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 08:36 AM

Amerigin,your title to the post is very appropriate. I do hope that all what you have went through is now over and 2011 is a new beginning for you.
Adrien

Subject: RE: BS: A Time to Reflect...a Time to Change
From: gnu
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 10:35 AM

Me too.