I WEPT TODAY

I WEPT TODAY

I wept today for a man I did not know.  Mrs. Cranky’s Uncle died this week.  He was 79.  The funeral was today.  I did not know Uncle Sammy.  I met him one time two years ago for about two hours.  You do not get to know a man in two hours.

Uncle Sammy was really not Mrs. C’s uncle.  He was her mom’s cousin which made him her first cousin once removed, or her second cousin....it was one of those.  Apparently he was like an uncle and until he moved to Pennsylvania she and her clan saw Uncle Sammy often.  I did not know the man.

Uncle Sammy led a quiet life.  He worked at the family bakery, he served in the Army as a clerk, and he worked at a bank.  He loved to dance and married his dance partner the lovely Claudette.  He had a daughter and two grandchildren.  I did not know the man.

Uncle Sammy was small in stature, but he apparently had a huge heart.  Whenever Mrs. C or her relatives spoke of Uncle Sammy it was with a tone of respect, fondness and love.  I never heard a bad word about the man.  I did not know the man.

The funeral was packed with people whose lives were touched by Uncle Sammy.  There was much reminiscing. There was laughter.  There were many tears.  His daughter Giselle read an emotional tribute to her father which somehow covered his life and the people in his life all in about ten minutes.  I did not know the man.  I wept today.

Uncle Sammy led a quiet and unremarkable life.  I did not know the man. 

He must have been a very special person.

Why else would I weep for a man I did not know?      

CULTURE DIFFERENCES

CULTURE DIFFERENCES 

It has been said that we have a culture gap in this country.  The Judeo-Christian culture clashes with cultural traditions of the Religion of Peace.  This is probably true, but there are commonalities in our traditions and those of the Religion of Peace.  

Adultery

They – Do not treat adulterant women kindly.

We – Often look askance on women who commit adultery.

The minor cultural difference is:

We allow the adulteress to divorce and leave with custody of the children, half of all possessions and a monthly stipend so they do not have to work for a living.

They bury an adulteress up to her shoulders and the community throws stones at the offender until she stops breathing.

Dress code

They – Have a strict dress code for women.

We -   Are often intolerant of those that dress differently.

The only cultural difference is:

We may stare at women covered head to toe in 95 degree heat and perhaps make them feel uncomfortable.

They arrest and administer beatings with a whip for women who do not properly cover up all skin and hair (including facial hair.)

Arranged Marriages

They- Believe in arranged marriages.

We – Think arranged marriages can be successful.

The only cultural difference is:

We will sometimes encourage our twenty year old daughters to go on a date with Uncle Fred’s twenty year old neighbor.

They will sell their fifteen year old daughters to marry wealthy forty year old perverted pedophiles.

Homosexuality

They – Believe homosexuality is against God’s law.

We – Often believe that homosexuality is against God’s law.

The cultural difference is:

We often discriminate against homosexuals in employment, legal issues and socially. 

They put homosexuals do death.

Stealing

They – Discipline people who steal.

We - Discipline people who steal.

The cultural difference is:

We put repeat offenders in jail for a year or more.

They chop of the thief’s hand.

Insulting Religion

They – Are repulsed by those that would insult their religion.

We – Are repulsed by those that would insult our religion.

The cultural difference is:

We have laws against painting swastikas on a synagogue, and will boycott artists who display a cross in urine.

They issue Fatwas to kill cartoonists who depict images of Mohammad, and behead Westerners to assert their revulsion.

The culture and traditions of the West are not that far apart from those of some mid-east countries and religions.  We should try and be more understanding and tolerant of those differences that do exist.  Tolerance and understanding is important.

 We must be careful keep our heads about us.  After all, these are only simple cultural differences.

TRIP TO ATLANTA afterthought

TRIP TO ATLANTA afterthought

One final thought about our recent trip to Atlanta.  The people everywhere we went were just extra friendly.  At the Aquarium and at Braves’ Stadium everyone had a big “thank you” and an “enjoy your day.”  They were not just giving lip service, but seemed genuinely nice and friendly.  I don’t want to say that people in New York and New Jersey are not as friendly….but…

PEOPLE IN NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY ARE NOT AS FRIENDLY!

Coming out of Turner Field after the ballgame we were met by a mugger.

“Excuse me ya’ll, but I’m going to have to ask you to hand over all your cash…please.”

“Hand over our cash?  Why?”

“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t make it clear, this is a mugging.  I need your cash; if you don’t mind of course.  Please don’t make me use this gun.”

“Oh of course not.  This is a mugging then?”

“Oh yes it is sir.”

“Well then here is all our cash, would you like my watch?  It’s a Timex.”

“A Timex…that’s quite all right, just your cash will do, and thank you very much.  Ya’ll enjoy the rest of your day now.”

The next time I’m in Atlanta I will look for this gentleman if I need a good mugging.*

Why are people in some places just so polite?

My son Matt went to Jamaica several years ago.  Everywhere he went he was greeted with “Yeah Mon.”

At one point his friend asked him “I wonder what ‘yeah Mon’ really means?”  Matt responded, “For all we know it might mean ‘go fuck yourself asshole’.”

They did not realize they were being followed by a hotel worker until they heard a calm but firm response from behind, “Sometimes Mon…Sometimes.”

It is good to be home.

*No, we did not really get mugged in Atlanta.