It's Getting Serious Now

Artwork by Socorro

I paid my first insurance payments this week and the sheer magnitude of the sum made me think seriously about life.

After watching Dr. Phil the other day I came to the clear knowledge that evil really does exist in this world. I watched how that young woman, now age 18, had been locked in a closet from age 2-8 by her maternal mother and step-dad. She was only let out to be used for sex, not only by her so-called parents but by other people that they would bring home. And yet, she managed to survive. As one of the psychologists said about her, "she healed herself."  After being found, the young lady had to undergo many surgeries to fix her internal female organs, as well as throat surgeries for trying to eat the plastic bowl and the wood from the door of the closet that held her captive. She survived so many horrors that I worry about her.  I woke up praying for her this morning and hope that she continues to thrive....and yes her parents have been sent to jail, each receiving life sentences.

I think about Whitney Houston who had the voice of an angel, but was so overwhelmed by too much fame, much too fast that it somehow ruined her and eventually took her life. I enjoyed her music, but never really "admired"  her as a person. I believe that we make choices, though tough as it may be, we make the choices that create who we are and continue to be. I hope she is in heaven and singing with the angels, and as a friend said, "I'm sure the angels are all moving over to make room for one of their own."  A woman with an angel's voice. A woman who could have lived on to make more music, is now gone. Rest in peace Whitney Houston.

I think about the e-mail that I received from a friend, and after opening it up seeing an image of topless African women doing what they do in Africa...dance. And the caption? The caption said, "Do you know what this is? It's Michelle Obama at her high school reunion." I felt so violated and angry. I know that racism and prejudice are alive and kicking and it embarrasses me to know that a friend would think I would want to see such an image.

Then I think about myself. The art work you see above was created by me several years ago. Yet, I quit painting. I take my gift for granted. My muse seems to be doing a Rip Van Winkle nap and I am finding it hard to be motivated or inspired to paint again. There is much I want to do, but it seems I am now taking it way too easy, simply because I can, because I am retired and think I have all the time in the world. I think my muse is slowly waking up and when she does I am going to grab her with much gusto and try and keep her near. I don't want to have that regret of having a gift and letting it die on the vine. I don't want to have that regret of having lived, but not living.

...and with that being said, it's time to go and work out and begin to begin!