Monday, May 23, 2011
Richard Emmerson, Mary-Ann and I
These events occurred almost 30 years ago. I had all but forgiven the offending parties but recent events have caused me to feel offended again. My name is being used and dishonored to prevent someone from facing the truth and to save face. I can forgive the sins of old, although I will never forget those events. It's the current lies that are causing me offense.
I will relate the story here for anyone interested in the truth and as a way for me to heal. I am fully prepared to defend these words in court should the need arise.
As I said, it was almost 30 years ago. I was living with my then girlfriend, Mary-Ann, while attending Carleton U. I had cause to feel that I was being lied to so I watched and discovered that my girlfriend was seeing someone else, Richard, while living with me. That weekend, in the middle of the night came a knock on the door. It was Richard, who immediately attacked me. An attack that included a knife. I still bear that scar although I prevailed in the battle. Eventually the police arrived and we all got to go to the hospital for treatment, except Mary-Ann who was unharmed. The police informed me that Mary-Ann, in her statement, had said that Richard had called her earlier in the day to tell her of his intentions. In order to avoid a difficult conversation with me, she decided that he was bluffing and decided not to inform me of his intent. The police called it attempted murder for him and conspiracy for her. I told them I would not co-operate with them in any charges against her so they didn't charge her and lowered his charge to assault with a weapon. I was also informed that under the circumstances, I would have been justified in a much more severe and final reaction than I had taken. I restrained myself because she was right there the whole time, and almost paid with my life.
She eventually married this guy and we all moved on. I have met her several times over the years and she has always been cordial although not always honorable. Seems, she never learned much from it all, and really never learned anything about me. Again, no harm, no foul, as it didn't make much difference to me or my life. Until recently that is. I have come to believe that the truth of the matter is being avoided and my name is being dishonored to prevent some possibly interested parties from learning the truth of that day. This I find quite disturbing and unacceptable. She could have simply just avoided the subject if she chose not to be honest, I wouldn't care about that. Lying about me and my honor.... That I do care about and have taken steps to set the story straight. The life of her husband, and his children, are the direct result of my grace and honor that day. My honor remains. Any falsehoods regarding the story do far greater dishonor to the teller than they do to me. Anyone interested can comment and I will reply.
I will relate the story here for anyone interested in the truth and as a way for me to heal. I am fully prepared to defend these words in court should the need arise.
As I said, it was almost 30 years ago. I was living with my then girlfriend, Mary-Ann, while attending Carleton U. I had cause to feel that I was being lied to so I watched and discovered that my girlfriend was seeing someone else, Richard, while living with me. That weekend, in the middle of the night came a knock on the door. It was Richard, who immediately attacked me. An attack that included a knife. I still bear that scar although I prevailed in the battle. Eventually the police arrived and we all got to go to the hospital for treatment, except Mary-Ann who was unharmed. The police informed me that Mary-Ann, in her statement, had said that Richard had called her earlier in the day to tell her of his intentions. In order to avoid a difficult conversation with me, she decided that he was bluffing and decided not to inform me of his intent. The police called it attempted murder for him and conspiracy for her. I told them I would not co-operate with them in any charges against her so they didn't charge her and lowered his charge to assault with a weapon. I was also informed that under the circumstances, I would have been justified in a much more severe and final reaction than I had taken. I restrained myself because she was right there the whole time, and almost paid with my life.
She eventually married this guy and we all moved on. I have met her several times over the years and she has always been cordial although not always honorable. Seems, she never learned much from it all, and really never learned anything about me. Again, no harm, no foul, as it didn't make much difference to me or my life. Until recently that is. I have come to believe that the truth of the matter is being avoided and my name is being dishonored to prevent some possibly interested parties from learning the truth of that day. This I find quite disturbing and unacceptable. She could have simply just avoided the subject if she chose not to be honest, I wouldn't care about that. Lying about me and my honor.... That I do care about and have taken steps to set the story straight. The life of her husband, and his children, are the direct result of my grace and honor that day. My honor remains. Any falsehoods regarding the story do far greater dishonor to the teller than they do to me. Anyone interested can comment and I will reply.
Labels: fathfullness, forgiveness, honor, Ottawa, Richard Emmerson
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Mohammad and Abraham
There is a fundamental truth which evades me. Many times I have contemplated this question but a logical answer just doesn't come to mind. So correct me if I'm wrong. According to my understanding Muslims are considered the sons and daughters of Mohammad and Jews are considered the sons and daughters of Abraham. Abraham and Mohammad were brothers. So if I'm not mistaken, this family feud has been taking untold numbers of lives for a very long time.
I can't help but wonder what Abraham and Mohammad might say about this today. How would they react to their personal responsibility for all these deaths resulting from their feud? In the face of all this slaughter might they not choose to end their fight or not even start it in the first place if the knowledge was foresight? I wonder.
I can't help but wonder what Abraham and Mohammad might say about this today. How would they react to their personal responsibility for all these deaths resulting from their feud? In the face of all this slaughter might they not choose to end their fight or not even start it in the first place if the knowledge was foresight? I wonder.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Martial Arts Teachers
Honorable martial arts instructors do not teach their students how to fight, they teach them how not to.
Labels: Instructors, Martial Arts
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
My Own Take on a Terrible Time, The Death of a Family Man
I have just finished reading the final post from a man who has died of cancer. He sounds like he was an exceptional man. I couldn't help but to be reminded of another man I once did not know.
That's right, I didn't know him. Many years ago, I had cause to work as a psychiatric sitter in several hospitals in the Ottawa area. One a children's hospital, another an adults. My job was to prevent people who were either dangerous to themselves or others from acting out on those tendencies without having to put them in a rubber room, so to speak. The people in question were almost always great people who at times might just lose it a little bit. By far the majority of the time I was just their friend. I mental demands of this job caused me to eventually leave it behind. The man in question was not my assignment. Mine was the senior citizen bedded across from him and who had tendencies to become distraught and violent. I had cause to be there during some days and some nights. On those days I witnessed this man across the room get visits from his beautiful wife and 2 adorable young kids. He was the very picture of a wonderful father who loved his family and wife very, very much.
I was also there to witness late at night, when he couldn't sleep,as he wept quietly to himself. The man was dying from cancer. I wasn't there when he died but was there to look at his empty bed.
I didn't know this man,
didn't even know his name
I didn't know this man
yet I knew him all the same.
I didn't know this man,
yet was there to see his pain
I did not know this man
but I loved him all the same.
I didn't know this man,
from so many,many years ago,
yet to this day I mourn him, all the same.
Cancer is one of the most devastating things that can ever happen to a human being. I didn't know the man in BC but I celebrate his grace, and mourn his passing, all the same.
That's right, I didn't know him. Many years ago, I had cause to work as a psychiatric sitter in several hospitals in the Ottawa area. One a children's hospital, another an adults. My job was to prevent people who were either dangerous to themselves or others from acting out on those tendencies without having to put them in a rubber room, so to speak. The people in question were almost always great people who at times might just lose it a little bit. By far the majority of the time I was just their friend. I mental demands of this job caused me to eventually leave it behind. The man in question was not my assignment. Mine was the senior citizen bedded across from him and who had tendencies to become distraught and violent. I had cause to be there during some days and some nights. On those days I witnessed this man across the room get visits from his beautiful wife and 2 adorable young kids. He was the very picture of a wonderful father who loved his family and wife very, very much.
I was also there to witness late at night, when he couldn't sleep,as he wept quietly to himself. The man was dying from cancer. I wasn't there when he died but was there to look at his empty bed.
I didn't know this man,
didn't even know his name
I didn't know this man
yet I knew him all the same.
I didn't know this man,
yet was there to see his pain
I did not know this man
but I loved him all the same.
I didn't know this man,
from so many,many years ago,
yet to this day I mourn him, all the same.
Cancer is one of the most devastating things that can ever happen to a human being. I didn't know the man in BC but I celebrate his grace, and mourn his passing, all the same.
