Author Topic: Have You Done This?  (Read 579 times)

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pianoman8849

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Have You Done This?
« on: August 03, 2010, 11:04:09 PM »
Hi. Where I work, there is a cemetery not far off and I've been walking through it for years on my lunch break. One grave that really caught my eye is a guy who died in 2003 of lymphoma at age 19. It says this on his gravestone as well as wonderful quotes, lyrics from songs ie. "You've Got A Friend" by James Taylor, just to name one. The back of his stone has names of all this friends on it and one can certainly see the guy (his name is Brian) was the life of the party and it's such a shame that he lost his battle with cancer at such a young age. I have visited his grave nearly every day and have got to the point that I think I know him.

Our offices moved and I can't get there on my noon walks but I do go there very often on weekends as I find it so comforting just standing there and talking to Brian. I have done some things in my life that I have guilty feelings about and I've been going there, kneeling down and asking God to help me deal with things and asking Brian if he would be willing to help me after I leave this earth. I am a God-fearing person and feel that everyone will answer for their experiences on earth, be it good or bad. But, of course, that is for God to judge, not me or anyone else but him or her.

I just have this feeling that Brian was the kind of person who would give anything if he could help someone and I have asked him to help me because I am so comforted and at peace when I am there at his grave talking to him and praying to God at the same time. When I kneel, I'm not praying to Brian, but to God. Before I leave, I always touch the ground where he lays and kiss his gravestone just to say how much I thank him for being such a spiritual comforter to me.

Now that you have read this, tell me. Am I crazy? Is it sacreligious? Or have you done something like this in your life too? Just want to say thanks for reading and God bless. I hope to hear back.

pert -5

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Re: Have You Done This?
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2010, 01:02:58 PM »
My initial response would be: yes, you're crazy.  But my understanding of human nature precludes such a trite reply.  This behavior is certainly not sacrilegious, at least not according to any dogma that I am familiar with.  Perhaps there was some void in your life that you have filled by "meeting" with this Brian.  Did you lose someone that Brian reminded you of?  Were you, yourself, of the same nature as Brian and see yourself in what you perceive of him?  I apologize for the questions, but 'tis how we, on the forums, get info.

God bless you.

pianoman8849

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Re: Have You Done This?
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2010, 06:58:11 PM »
Hi. Thanks for the questions. Well, I did lose my very best friend a few years ago to cancer. He was 63 and fought 10 courageous years before he lost the battle. Does this Brian possibly remind me of him? Not really because I can go to my hometown cemetery and visit Joey's grave but I just look at it, never talk to him. In some ways, I think that Joey disapproves of me in a lot of ways now because I don't think I appeared to him while he was living like I might now if he can see how I really am.

Whereas I have never met Brian, I seem to be asking him to help me deal not only with God, but perhaps with Joey if it comes to the situation that he does confront me.

I know most of this sounds like a bunch of gibberish, which it most likely is. But, I was just curious to read what somebody else might have to say, which I appreciate.

All in all, if I'm getting self-comfort and assurance from this, so be it. I'm not hurting anyone else and it could actually be doing me some good. Agree with that?

pert -5

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Re: Have You Done This?
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2010, 07:22:43 AM »
All in all, if I'm getting self-comfort and assurance from this, so be it. I'm not hurting anyone else and it could actually be doing me some good. Agree with that?
Yeah, I can agree with that.  I am a huge proponent of objectifying one's feelings.  But I still wonder, is there any specific thing that you are seeking self-comfort and assurance of?

Pieter

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Re: Have You Done This?
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2010, 03:53:53 PM »
I don't think it is any more weird than (and in fact pretty similar to) being obsessively in love with someone you barely know. You are probably just longing for something, and you are projecting that onto someone who you don't really know, and thus won't be able to disappoint you.

duldej

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Re: Have You Done This?
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2010, 04:09:29 AM »
crazy or not, that's a heck of a (cool) story.  it's a good enough practice so that you can write about it so in some ways it's a good practice. 

say, for instance, it's better than trying to be someone else when you know that's not possible.

if you're fueling your creative energy, and you like to write, then I think that you're queen of the cemetery, so to speak, and it's a good thing because you've got something left to talk about.

guys that are into cars are just as weird as that, but that's a very common problem.

I'd estimate that your problem is better than trying to be a movie star that's in the news not because either problem is crazy but because yours is unique and productive.  again, I thought your story was good prose. 

someone wanting to be a rich movie star, by contrast is just another fan.

whether or not there's a problem in either wanting to be a movie star or liking the cemetery, well....

hanging out in the cemetery is cheaper than hero-worship because there's so many magazines that you're liable to buy.

you, by contrast, found it in yourself to write a good story, and that cost you probably $0.00.

better, I guess, is the next trip that you enjoy.  I wouldn't go out of my way to get to that particular cemetery if it's inconvenient.  maybe try the next one and see if you like it.  please find one nearby so it doesn't cost you too much in gas.

pianoman8849

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Re: Have You Done This?
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2010, 11:52:13 AM »
Thanks Duldej for your insight and understanding. The cemetery isn't far away and, as a matter of fact, I like getting on my motorcycle and going to cemeteries. I do find that they are such a good place to be at peace and to get away from all the everyday rush that's part of our society today. A place where no one is in a hurry.

And, as you say, better this than pretending to be something that I'm not. Might send you a private email, if that's OK with you. I'm at work right now so my writing skills are at a minimum!  ;)

Thanks....Rod


hortonpilot

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Re: Have You Done This?
« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2010, 05:30:09 PM »
Who is to say the connection we feel is wrong?

I was working in the bush some years back alone and was touched on the shoulder , i turned around to say hello, but i knew who was there .
Most odd ,the person was dead a few days, roamin around  and we had been there a few days before.
I only met him the once ther on the fence line?