Insanely happy - and it has nothing to do with me...

"Not long after the warden deprived us of his company, I got a postcard in the mail. It was blank, but the postmark said Fort Hancock, Texas. Fort Hancock... right on the border. That's where Andy crossed. When I picture him heading south in his own car with the top down, it always makes me laugh. Andy Dufresne... who crawled through a river of shit and came out clean on the other side. Andy Dufresne... headed for the Pacific."  Red, from the movie The Shawshank Redemption

     I love that quote. I love a lot of quotes from that splendid film. I never even wanted to watch the Shawshank Redemption until a friend of mine, who is now a missionary, suggested it. I fell in love with it's message - one of hope and salvation. One that says to not give up despite your circumstances. I particularly like the part in the quote about laughing when he thinks of his friend driving in his own car. Red was overjoyed for his frien, and I understand. That's how I feel about some of my friends' circumstances. It doesn't have anything to do with me. I just feel a sense of gratification or justice for them, and it makes my heart soar.

     One such event, dealing with a friend whom I'll call Leann, has this effect on me. Her husband, 'Kurt,' was devious. Technically, he still is, but he is almost her ex now, and I will be forever grateful for that.
He verbally abused my friend for years while she stood back and questioned her own sanity. She no longer has to do that - she knows that she is not the one with the problem. He probably is a narcissist. But, as it states in the Bible "vengance is mine, says the Lord." Amen! She had to patiently wait for that vengenance, but the courts are now seeing it, and redemption is coming my friends....

     Kurt plays the victim repeatedly. Even when witnesses are present for his endless tirades, he sits back and tries to deny his behavior and point the finger at everyone else. I honestly think, if he could swing it, he'd blame the Pope for the state of his life! And I'm not kidding.

     However, at long last, the tides have turned. His ramblings via emails and in front of others are no longer tolerated. A judge even agrees. He'll have to move and being that he is a hoarder, this may be the ultimate sacrifice for him. It's all about his precious stuff. He could care less about people. He only cares about entitlement. Sadly, he isn't alone, not the way our society is heading at any rate. Yet, I find a sense of serenity inside of me. Leann no longer has to deal with this. She doesn't have to hear the anger, the accusations, the fiery darts of rage being slung at her. No more, no more! When I think of that, a smile crosses my face and stays there. Glee fills my heart.  She is free. Seeing her embrace the new-found freedom makes me want to stand and applaud her. It has nothing to do with me. Yet, elation surrounds me.

     Leann, you are a real trooper. Keep marching forward my very dear friend. God is indeed on your side.

My Sister's Keeper.....

     So, my sister, Sue, and I chatted about our former pediatrician the other day. She believes that he is still alive and still practicing. I believe he is 85. I do recall that he loved all children dearly. Whether she is right or not, this blog is for him. He truly was my sister's keeper and guardian angel.
     Naturally, you need to know the whole story. It dates back to 1967 - the year of my sister's birth. My mother came over here from Italy at eight months preganant - Sue could seriously wear a little sticker on her that says 'Made in Italy.'  Anyway, had she been born in Italy, my sister would most certainly not be with us. The medical technology back then was way behind the U.S., so Sue would not have had the treatment she needed to survive. Yet, our dear Dr. Runco (who hopefully will read this some day and will not take offense) is also a reason Sue is with us today.
     You ever hear of a blue baby? Basically, from what I understand, it was an issue with the RH factor in the blood. Some compatibility issue with the mother and father's blood types. It's something you never hear about these days. Anyway, a baby born with this would need a transfusion the DAY of birth or they couldn't survive. Also, due to this condition, the skin of the baby could have a blue-ish tint to it.
     Needless to say, the attending doctors didn't realize that Sue was born with this condition. Dr. Runco always went to welcome the newborns into the world, and he simply took one look at Sue and said "This baby is very sick." Now, mind you, my mother and father barely spoke English, were both new to the country, and were supposed to be celebrating the birth of their new bundle of joy. I can only imagine their horror as they watched Sue go down to 3 lbs., and someone who didn't know how to communicate with them try and explain that their newborn was very ill.
     Plus, it was all ready past the 24 hours from birth. The transfusion never took place. I am honestly not certain if it was a special formula or what that saved Sue. This much I do know; a pediatrician who took his job seriously spoke up and Sue is here! I am grateful daily for that, and will always remember my pediatrician fondly. I'm sure there aren't too many around like that anymore!

Shockingly Ace....(Figure I could probably do at least one Kiss story a month...)

     So, last weekend I headed to the Ribs on the River Fest down in Station Square. Ace Frehley, 'Space Ace,' was there. I had never seen him live as a solo artist. I'd only seen him as the smoke-spewing guitarist
for Kiss. I saw him twice - during their '96 reunion tour and in '99 for the Psycho Circus tour. I have seen him in interviews though - most recently on That Metal Show with Eddie Trunk (who I hope I get to meet some day. I would seriously have some Kiss stories for him!).
     Anyway, my sister has seen him before. Many years ago in the '80's, after he had left Kiss and was trying to revitalize his career. Sue said he played well, but did show up about two hours after he was originally scheduled to go on. Hmm. Also, while each member of Kiss supposedly picked a talisman that represented something of their alter-ego which is the charcter they embody in makeup, I don't think Ace's was a very far stretch. Either that, or he decided to embody it a bit too far.
     Now, don't get me wrong - he sounded great. I was more concerned with what he said. His stage banter may need some work. Perhaps if he extends his dialogue to include more than a few mumblings (Hey, impressively, he did know how to spell Kiss - K-I-S-S!), he would truly shock us.
     I first noticed that the space man was a bit off when he mentioned that 'She' was from the first Kiss album. Buzz! Wrong! That would be from Dressed to Kill - the third Kiss album. Yikes. He was there for the actual recording right?
     Then, he had us sing along to 'New York Groove.' He's done that at Kiss concerts too, and he has us put our own city name in, but really? I think he has to do that so he actually remembers what city he's in.
     Ace sang some awesome signature tunes ('Shock Me, Cold Gin, Rocket Ride') mixed with the obscure. I sat stunned when his band played 'Love Her All I Can.' I had never heard that live! All in all, it was Ace meets a mini-Kiss concert. Ace, you rock, but please, work on those social skills!
   

To Blog or Not to Blog....

            So, I watched the movie Julie and Julia yet again. It's a true blogging adventure that takes its main character to the long-awaited heights of success. This is culminated with the author finally completing a book, and naturally, the book was made into this delightful film.
            Sigh. I have longed for moments like that. Prayed. Listened to others' words of wisdom on the topic. Written down ideas. Written down nothing. Imagined myself being interviewed. Yes, my imagination even took me to being interviewed...on Oprah...in front of millions. After or during my autograph book-signing tour. Of course.
            What do I really have to say? Will people even remotely relate to me? Am I witty enough? The questions swirl about me. I can either let them engulf me, or I can let them challenge me. So, then, the final question is: which is it?
             To blog or not to blog - a notion that would open me up to opinions, criticisms, and realities. Am I ready?