Comments on Has some heart stopped beating for you? (Sonnet #10)

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YP

I must tell you a story. Your poem invoked a story.  I feel I MUST tell it to someone.  I recently send two cards, to two people who held me in ill repute: my former principal and his wife of over 50 years, was fired from his job. I was president of the Teacher's Union and as such had been obliged to attend some of the final meetings. He held me and another teacher directly responsible for his getting fired. His wife snubbed me in public from that point on.

The district hired him to teach History at the High School. The last 6 years of my career were spent teaching History down the hall from him. We treated each other with respect and professionalism.  However, the one day I was 5 minutes late relieving him of hall duty, he wrote me a scathing rebuke.  I wrote an apology back with a peace-offering to make it up many-fold. He accepted and I got tons more hall duty that I cared for but I am a peace-keeper.  

I heard vis a vis the prayer warrior line 3 weeks ago that his wife was quite ill and miserable. I made her a card, recounted a couple of stories from the good times we had shared, and wished her well.  A week later, she died.  I made him a different kind of card, and had Jay write the personal sympathies this time and we sent that card in both our names.  Jay had just seen him two weeks before (I sent the cards) and he had politely asked Jay, "How is your wife doing these days?" 

The grudge is still there, but he was cordial and professional in any case, but I have not felt any warmth there for years now.  This is the same man who had nominated me as teacher of the year and the paper did a whole exposé on women, different professions, and out of 500 teachers, I was featured. We got along well before the office of LNEA President was mine. Diplomat I may be, but from that point on, I was his antogonist.

I do not feel like his wrath was ever warrented in my direction. I didn't go after him at all.  I merely did my job as acting teacher president.  We never discussed it.  I knew it would be fruitless.  He's a retired Lt. Col. from the Army and he "knows what he knows" and no one will tell him otherwise.  I know his attitude after all those years.  So I just sucked it up, realized not everyone in the world is going to like me, and returned the same attitude of professionalism.  It was the Lady-like thing to do as my mother would have said.

I knew he had loved his wife fiercely and loyally.  They had six kids, and were both smoking chimneys and hard drinkers (alcoholics.) That she lasted this long is a testimony  to her toughness.  She was a tough old broad, by most definitions, who loved her man and her children, but loved her ciggies and vodka more.

Her DIL was in my Bible study class and also a believer in the Mother God (the female side of God, for those of us who see Him as Her or both) and we got to be friends. Her DIL is married to a close church friend's mother whose son and the DILs husband was in my reading class, history class, and we took his Senior picture!  It's all interrelated, isn't it?

That's my long comment - a story. Peace and love! Easter Joy, Neil!

LadyCeeMarie (glad you're doing better now).

posted by LadyCeeMarie on April 6, 2007 at 8:24 AM | link to this | reply

YP

You nailed another wonder sonnet!  I think we've probably all had a "heart stop beating" and it's always such a painful experience. 

posted by Troosha on April 5, 2007 at 1:56 PM | link to this | reply

we all have losses Neil so this poem talks to us all.Thanks.

its inspirational.

posted by proc on April 5, 2007 at 6:11 AM | link to this | reply

Well written, Neil - you always produce interesting material.

posted by Antonionioni on April 5, 2007 at 2:12 AM | link to this | reply

YPunday

The Divine Heart is the only one that will never leave us. MoonSpirit

posted by chitravathi_moon on April 4, 2007 at 5:43 PM | link to this | reply

Do you know that you are one of my favourite blogger ?

posted by afzal50 on April 4, 2007 at 5:26 PM | link to this | reply

Neil--lovely poem! Yes-I have had losses---and as you know--it is very

painfull--and makes us think and not take anything for granted.shalommyfriend-Chris.

posted by Scramble on April 4, 2007 at 2:22 PM | link to this | reply

YPunday

Martin Luther King, yes!  "I have a dream........"  Good piece today!  Where have you been?  --Joy!Mary 

posted by FoliageGold on April 4, 2007 at 12:47 PM | link to this | reply