Arm Band

Arm Band

I remember when I was young, people used to wear black arm bands when a hero died.  I have no idea where this comes from. I don't even want to know. 

When I got the news Lou Reed died, I was in the middle of making pink princess cupcakes.  I'm a damn competent baker,  and Zella pretty much dictates the designs at this point. We did perfect sift, organic food dye, crowns and well, all our best at making the perfect princess cupcakes. We made too much, so we took some over to a loved friends house. Then the news came. Lou Reed dead. 71?

I still can't explain why, but somewhere in the middle of dropping off the over abundance of perfect pink princesses cupcakes, and stopping to get a picture frame, driving to Safeway, driving back to the house to try to make everything perfect princess pink Perfect, I lost my shit. I cried and cried and cried. Why? I did not know Lou Reed, he was my father's age. He tested the waters of his own mortality WAY before I even had time to listen to his music, poetry, writing. So, why all this crying? 

We presented the perfect pink princess cupcakes.  Everyone agreed they were awesome.  (I'm a competent baker.)  I kept a straight face. We drove home.  I told my family to go inside.  I mentally put on a black arm band and went running like crazy in the dark.

Checking the thoughts in my head, I came up with this:  we all die.  It's just that I've been such a pussy about struggling so hard for acceptance from others, when this guy endured shock treatment in the 1950's for who his surrounding guides thought he may or not be at the time.  He gave, me, US, little children music to live and die by during our own selfish experimental phases in the 80's and 90's; and whether you agreed with his choices or not, he set a standard of "take it or leave it" that I will think about for years after my own perfect pink princess cupcake death.

So here's my black arm band, black standing for the entire spectrum of color. I did put one on this week, it was only to try to fool Tamara that I was Dave Grohl- and it was made out of Adam's work sock:

I love you Lou Reed!  Thank you for all you brought!

I'll be your mirror

Reflect what you are, in case you don't know

I'll be the wind, the rain and the sunset

The light on your door to show that you're home

When you think the night has seen your mind

That inside you're twisted and unkind

Let me stand to show that you are blind

Please put down your hands 'cause I see you

I find it hard to believe you don't know

The beauty you are

But if you don't let me be your eyes

A hand to your darkness, so you won't be afraid

When you think the night has seen your mind

That inside you're twisted and unkind

Let me stand to show that you are blind

Please put down your hands 'cause I see you

I'll be your mirror

I'll be your mirror

I'll be your mirror

Happy Halloween

Regarding Light

Quote:

"...Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. 

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? 

Actually, who are you not to be? 

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. 

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. 

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

        

Make No Prisoners

Take no prisoners

Leave no scars

Make no scapegoats 

In personal wars

Let go, forgive

Life has so many roads

Look at us all

Carrying these heavy loads

Put oneself in another's place

Put on your classiest face

Face means true reflection 

Of us in time and space

Lean not too hard on needing

Let not time take away our learning

Personal growth

Comes from our yearning

To be better all around

This much is true

Stranger or friend

You are me, I'm you.

Still strive not to hold

People close through fear

Love is not given 

By fear year after year

Love is only given

Through freedom we know

So rock on with your bad self

And let it all go

Make no prisoners 

In your quest to be you

When the blue star shines in heavens

All love will poke through

No one left out

No one left on the run

At the end of the day

We are all the same ONE.