Is God To Blame?

Is it better to believe there is a God then to die and discover there is a Hell? Maybe the question isn't, is there a God, rather who is God. Strip the disguises from any Holiday Mascot and what is left is the Spirit of the Holiday. Be that spirit ‘Bah, Hum Bug’ or Merry Happy Holiday. Strip all the Religions of their ideas about whom and how God is, what’s left is the Spirit of Hope nurtured by blind faith. And what is hope but a synonymic word for optimistic anticipated expectations. Whilst faith is the blindfold we entrust to guide the subconscious, while our consciousness is busily awake. Kinda like how some drive a car while shaving, makeuping, eat, drink, smoking, while talkin’ on a cell phone. But the question here is why. Why death, suffering, diseases, etc.? It is easier to blame a God that may or may not exist. Much as a poor child may curse Santa Clause for not bring presents. Sadly, those whom for example, pass away painfully from cancer, God of any concept should not be the blame. Sure God is an easy enough target. However; it is humans who made the chemicals that cause such dis-ease. Humans invent cars; many automobiles tragically take the lives of numerous people. Drunk driving killers, humans invented alcohol. And so on and so on. For whom ever made Earth, other planets, stars, people…, only made the basics. It is humans who combined the ingredients. Then blame the damn Maker for giving humans brains! Oh my, if a tree begets an acorn and that acorn grows into a mighty tree that Mother Nature one day crushes upon your residence, whom is to blame? The Maker, the tree, the acorn, Mother Nature, you for your choice of residency…? That is the age old question of our generation. If a gun kills an innocent person, who is to blame? The gun manufactures, the bullet producers, the gunpowder providers..? If a video game leads to violence, who is at fault? The video industry, the animator… Unfortunately, there will never be enough blame to go around for everyone and everything. My Fellow Readers, we could go on and on with your questions about “the ill fates of society and people” The main misgiving however; is your pain. We may not know the whys until we ourselves meet our destination and whatever that holds. Rather it be heaven or hell or merely particles of atomically ions to be recycled back into the universe. Meanwhile; if death crushes the heart, ache damn it, ache. It hurts. It’s not fair. Next, cherish those memories for they are the healing threads for any shattered heart. Then at last, celebrate life. Instead of grieving the date of loss, light a candle on the persons’ birthday, shouting– I’m glad you were born! For in your birth I got to know you, love you. And because you lived, I have the best memories I may of never had, had you not of been born.

(I once posted this as a comment on a fellow blogger post; today, the world is much the same-wondering whom to blame and what to do. So I felt a need to post this comment here. Hope it helps someone.)

In Loving Memory

It has only been a few months into the New Year and heaven has already welcomed several close friends of mine; including recently, my Dearly Beloved Aunt Ella Violet Brokaw; whose memorial service was held yesterday - Sunday, May 15, 2011. Ironically in 1998; grief stricken, I had dropped out of college because her husband of 51 years, my Uncle Bill passed away. 13 years later, early April 2011; I had just completed my re-enrollment for the same college I had been attending in 1998, when shortly afterwards I received the sad news about my Aunt departing. My Aunt and Uncle were my mentors, my role-models, my friends. There wasn’t a single birthday or holiday in my life that they never forgot to send me cards and gifts. The letters and pictures they sent me, the many phone calls all helped to fill the void of the miles between us. They were genuinely two exceptionally remarkable, extraordinary people who lived the moral fibers of their Christian faith; extending this lovingly into the lives of all those they knew, including in the raising of their own two children and in carrying on their traditions with each new member of their ever growing family. Now with only 2 weeks before admittedly; I am one year from the age of 50, this has come to be an end to an era for me. Yet; as I look at my sister, who’s oldest child Dirk will graduate high school this year and her youngest child Bennie will soon follow suite... As I look to my own Daughter and I watch how my Daughter is successfully raising her own Family, blessing them with the same love and values I was raised and influenced by from my Aunt and Uncle; I am reminded of the song sang by Elton John (sung below by my Nephews), that the ‘Circle of Life’ truly does go on.

Thanks Uncle Bill and Aunt Ella for the many fantastic memories; from our walks on the beach, the wedding of your daughter, the hand your son held of the child you so lovingly watched over, the violin recitals you attended, my first double dipped ice cream cone, you alls VW bug, Mr. Potato Head, the home you two so lovingly shared, the hornets, the skylight, the paintings, the piano, the many flavorfully preserved mason jars, …

And here’s to you Aunt Ella and Uncle Bill, an end of an era; but your traditions continue to live on!

Circle of Life by Dirk Parker and Bennie Parker

The Parker Brothers Music

Ella Brokaw Obituary: View Ella Brokaw's Obituary by Times Recorder:

Ella Cronk Brokaw


HENDERSONVILLE, NC: Ella Cronk Brokaw, 85, passed away April 9, 2011 in the home of her daughter. Born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin on December 30, 1925, she was the youngest child of Ethel Simonds and George Cronk.

She attended Broadview Academy and Emmanual Missionary College where she met her husband of 51 years, William G. Brokaw. Ella attended and then taught at Meredith Business College. She was an active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and could often be found making costumes for the school and church plays. In 2001, following the death of her husband in 1998, Ella moved to Hendersonville, NC to live with her daughter and be closer to her son.

She is survived by her brother, Duane Cronk and Mary; her sister, Evelyn Vaughn and Arky; her son, William E. Brokaw and Sherra; daughter, Patricia J. Moore and Pierce. She has seven grandchildren, Jason Brokaw, Terissa Miller, Tonya Oxford, Adam Hiltner, Kaylin Lang, Brian Moore, and Heather Carvill; and six great-grandchildren.

She was loving, creative, and generous with both her time and talents. Her beautiful smile and sweet spirit will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

A memorial service will be held at Zanesville Memorial Park on May 15, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

Related Posts:

Cheyenne Gemma Her Words and Poems

From the Portsmouth Herald|Seacoastonline.com :



Speech pathologist Lauren Koczarski and Cheyenne Gemma in the WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio studio. Photo by Sisay Sabera



 13-year-old brings voice and poems to Don't Dis My Ability radio show By Ronald Tomanio

features@seacoastonline.com
March 17, 2011 2:00 AM

On March 8 our radio show, "Don't Dis My Ability," heard on Portsmouth Community Radio 106.1 FM every other Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. was honored by the presence of a fine young writer.

I had sent out a request through my network of friends that our show was looking for a poet who could express what it was like living with a disability. On Tuesday, a poet and writer, 13-year-old Cheyenne Gemma, of Raymond, came to the radio station with her entourage of grandparents and speech pathologist. We were told ahead of time that she did not like people talking for her, over her and about her. She made it known that she had a voice, even though it came through an electronic communicator, and she knew how to use it — thank you very much!

So, I'm not going to do that and incur her wrath. Her grandmother and I worked together weeks before the interview to fashion the questions that were then answered by Cheyenne. The next step was to create a script and program her answers into her electronic communicator.

Here is Cheyenne in her own words:

Question: How do you feel not being able to speak?

Cheyenne: Who knows what it feels like not to talk? Shut out of the world, and all alone. Not being able to share your thoughts, only listening to others talk about you. I want to cry and tell them how they hurt me. Words are wonderful; they should make me feel alive. I want to tell everyone how they make me feel. I wish I felt good about myself.

Telephone

Please let me talk on the phone...;
Happy even though no one is home.
Oh, it would be so much fun!
Not alone, just to talk to someone.
Even the recording would satisfy me!

Question: When did you first realize you could write poetry?

Answer: When I first started typing — my mind works best in rhythmic patterns. The music is like poetry with beats and waves. Nature inspires me. It's so beautiful and I see beauty in words.

If I could

If I could I would run and play outside.
I want to touch the trees.
I want to shake hands with the trees.
I would roll in the grass.
I would hold the earth close to me.
I would sing with the birds.
I would sing praises to Jesus.
I would draw in the sky.
I would draw beautiful rainbows.
I would kiss the flowers.
I would love to play with the flowers.
If I could.

The next day I thought of this saying. "Dost thou reckon thyself only a puny form when within thee the universe is folded."-Baha'u'llah, 1817-1892.

Everyone has some indispensable unique contribution to make in the world. You have it, I have it, and certainly Cheyenne has it. Believe it. If I didn't know it before I met Cheyenne Gemma, I certainly know it now.

^{click to learn more about Cheyenne Gemma:} A Very Powerful Show of Creativity and Courage – … A Young Lady You Won’t Forget: ("Cheyenne has written a song that one of her aides has set to music and sings...") 

Go&Do:

WHAT: Don't Dis My Ability radio show

WHEN: Every other Tuesday, 3:30-4:15 p.m.

WHERE: Portsmouth Community Radio 106.1 FM, 909 Islington St, Suite 1, Portsmouth

CONTACT: http://www.portsmouthcommunityradio.org/, 430-9722

*Permission to repost article granted by: J.L. Stevens, Spotlight Editor

Ronnie Tomanio is the creator and co-host of Don't Dis My Ability radio show:

The Don't Dis My Ability radio show was Ron Tomanio’s brainchild. “I’m always looking for interesting things for people I work with to do during the day,” he explains. “I kept driving past the sign for the radio station in Portsmouth. One day I stopped in and looked at the program schedule. I said to the manager, ‘There’s no program here about people with disabilities.’ "You’re right, that’s a good idea! We can train you if you’d like to create a program." ... The show went on air on November 3. Guests have included an architect recovering from a stroke, the director of the Disability Rights Center, a hand surgeon, and John Eubanks’service coordinator Alicia. {click to read full article}

Personal note from Binding Ink.Org Writer –Jeane M. Culp (ndpthepoetress): Cheyeanne Gemma, Thank you for introducing yourself and sharing your talent on the ‘Don't Dis My Ability’ radio show. I am in awe of your writing and admire your intelligent mature intellect and insightfulness.

Katy Perry's Firework Brother Duet

The strong bond of Parker Brotherhood continues between my Nephews, as proudly displayed at the parkerbrothersmusic's Channel, in this rendition of their acoustic debut of Katy Perry's song "Firework".

Congressional Unemployed Fishing Expeditions (CUFE)

Congratulations, you have just received a Congressional paid vacation! You are number 14 million among the 14.6 million (9.5%) who are already benefiting from this packaged deal in the United States. Gather your Family and Friends, dig out those fishing poles, load up the camping gear, put a few beers on ice; because you are about to embark on an adventure of a life time!

Well, that’s what some Congress and Public figures think the unemployed are doing. We’re just kicking back, relaxing, perhaps playing games online. They’re partially right! Heck there use to be cabin fever, now there is an epidemic of CUFE fever. The unemployed gather around the internet to surf the job banks. Using only the most superb resume for bait, we cast lines of our personal information out into the vast World Wide Web; all in hopes of reeling in that big catch of the day, a JOB!

Our local Congress has been nice enough to set up a mandatory fishing spot for the unemployed, South Carolina JobLink. Perhaps our tax money at work, securing employment for those fortunate enough to be employed there: “You register for work just one time and you must do it within two weeks of filing your initial ‘unemployment’claim. If you don’t, you won’t receive an ‘unemployment’ check. ATTN: SCESC (South Carolina Employment Securities Commission), here is why I have only had one job referral from this required fishing spot: Let’s just disregard the fact that initially, South Carolina JobLink looked like someone’s bad attempt at learning HTML. Much of your information saved here wouldn’t be there when you next logged in. Therefore; you needed to frequently re-enter your info. As if we aren’t busy enough, looking for a JOB! Additionally; there consisted of many broken links.

Currently the South Carolina JobLink page layout is more professional. Still there are those annoying time consuming glitches. For example; enter your key word in the job search area, put in your zip code, and even just for a mere quick search, you’ll find there are no jobs available in that category. However I’ve learnt; instead of using your zip code, if you enter your City/State, wala – there are jobs available! Then apply for a job found here and you think proudly, mission accomplished; I have cast my net! The confirmation even states, ‘You have applied for this job’. But wait, don’t be too quick to put that fish in the cooler; what’s this – a month later found buried in my e-mail junk file, from an unknownsender@sces.org. We have approved your self-referral regarding ** position. You may now apply online at: www.WTF! Also when at this fishing site; don’t spend too much time trying to pick and choose a job you may qualify for, because just as you’re about to click that link, yes it’s log in time again! Then there’s the ever fun, seemingly never ending call for a detour, “You must contact a Workforce Center to apply for this job.” But have no fear, hope is here; “In an effort to provide additional services and features to better assist you, South Carolina Job Link will soon be replaced by SC Virtual OneStop”. *see update

At most; job banks such as Monster.com, Indeed.com, HotJobs... require that you have a fishing license. Create a user account with a username and password. Not a problem; just another 15 or 20 minutes out of my day, when I could be FISHING. I’ll just add such and such to my growing list of already 50 job related accounts, consisting of 50 different usernames and passwords. No I’m not telling a whopper here, over 50 and still growing. Now copy/paste my personal information, fill in additional information here. Upload my resume. Start fishing! Click job, send resume, job applied for. Next, resume sent/job applied for. Oh the fish are jumping here! Wait, looks like another good job opportunity; click link, send resume…. NO! Welcome to the all time great time consuming, bait and switch! Please click here to go to their website and apply for this job. Click. In order to apply for this job, you must create a username and password. Number 51 and still growing -:) Another 20 minutes, done! Now, click on the job link. This part of the application consists of 130+ questions and may take 60 minutes.

Having done these approximately 25 different times for various online applications, please note that I am simply crazy about this part of the CUFE! For those new to these fishing waters, during the next 60 minutes of your life, whatever you do; don’t nod off, pay close attention because if you hit the wrong answer by mistake – there is no going back, hope your internet server stays online, and pray like hell that your computer doesn’t crash.

Admittedly; I did find particular humor in one major corporation application. After completing the required 60 minutes tedious psychologically probing 130+ questionnaire; I was directed to click a link to take an online confidential drug test. Heck, except for my blood type, I’ve already given out all my personal information to any and everyone, including possible scammers and spammers. So why not do a piss test too. In fact; I was looking forward to finding out where the virtual pee cup was and how modern technology could obtain this online sample. Needless to say; I was disappointed to learn, this was just another 20+ questions consisting of: Do you take drugs on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday? Do you take drugs on Saturday or Sunday? Do you take drugs before work? After work? etc.

Notably; modern technology has also robbed the unemployed of the opportunity to be seen. A greet and handshake has been replace with ‘please apply online, fax, or e-mail your resume’. Even the days of fancy resume paper possibly capturing a potential Employer’s eyes has been replaced with online, black on white boring text. Temporary Employment Agencies seem like a last resort life preserver. I have personally visited two Temporary Agencies, only to be told; ‘apply online’.

Yet, some Congress Members and Public figures, even tv show icons such as Judge Pirro, Judge Judy dare ask why more people aren’t employed, when there are jobs out here. Hello, we are busy answering questions! We’re busy logging in/logging out, creating users accounts, filling in, copy/pasting, uploading… Simply put, we’ve gone fishing! CUFE fever Baby!

A personal note to my Readers, if you have been wondering where this Writer has been for the past year or so, well now you know -:) Others may speculate that I’ve also been play online games during this time. You’re correct, in-between the CUFE. Heck, even those employed are entitled to a reasonable break -:)

*Update:

New state Department of Employment search engine to provide listings for jobs available across the nation BY WARREN WISE

"So instead of subscribing to all of these other search engines, when you register at S.C. OneStop, create a resume and start searching for jobs, you're not only looking at the jobs that the agency has recruited on the site, you're looking at jobs that are coming from search engines all over the nation", The Post and Courier

The Climb by Miley Cyrus Sung By My Nephew

Dirk Parker singing The Climb written by Miley Cyrus

A Magnificent Tribute and Testament To Keeping The Faith

How Far We've Come Music Video

How far we've come, COVER, by Dirk Parker and Bennie Parker with Matt Holmes on guitar. Stake talent show in WIlmington NC, Jan 16, 2010.

My Nephews Bennie and Dirk with Matt Holmes!

Lean On Me Music Video

Lean on me, COVER by Dirk Parker and Bennie Parker with Matt Holmes on guitar. Stake talent show Wilmington NC, Jan 16, 2010.

My Nephews Dirk and Bennie with Matt Holmes!

As a Lamb to the Slaughter

My Nephew Bennie Parker with Matt Holmes

(Bennie Parker singing "As a Lamb to the Slaughter" with Matt Holmes on guitar (acoustic). Jan 16, 2010 Wilmington Stake Youth Activity)

Christmas Music Video That Is A Must See!

Sung by my Nephew Dirk and Nephew Bennie!

Jesus