Headstall's Reflections - 18. Chapter 18 Why?

Sending you love today, for your words, for your strength, for your life. This is an important strain in the voices that must be heard.

We—are never, ever, ever—going away

We are family... and stronger than our enemies, because our strength lies in love... not hate....

Two very powerful... one as part of the poem, and the other as a statement of what we need to remember right now. We are more powerful together. Although I fear for friends more that I did two days ago, I will be the first to walk with them as they hold hands down the street, or hug as they say hello, and even to dance in a place that should have always meant safety, but will continue to mean love and acceptance.

It gives me goosebumps, Gary

Written with such fiery, proud defiance. Profoundly moving. It was a privilege to be able to read this.

:heart - I'm goin to my grave with Why on my lips..

:heart:

Thank you Gary.

I was struck with only one thought reading this: hate is easier to express and understand than love because it is so rare in the real world.
Many couples might have once felt love, but it has since decayed into complacency or familiarity, with no divine spark to it. How many couples had it to begin with, mistaking love for what was actually fondness and convenience? Those who teach hate from their pulpits to infect yet another generation have never felt this emotion--if they had, they would teach it instead of bogotry. It was clearly stated that Christ's testament replaced the Old Teachings,but embracing the new is hard when the old ways are so much easier with their familiar tag lines.
Any person who has true love in his/her hear will recognize it in whatever guise, and be happy someone else shares it. You have only to look at the world around you to see how rare a gift this is, and perhaps always has been since the species began.
Kudos G-Man, for asking the very important question of 'Why?'t

Thank you for voicing so eloquently what I've always wanted to know. Why? Why is seeing same sex couples being together upset people so much? Who are they hurting? How can you disdain LOVE in any form it manifests? How boring will this planet be if everyone is the same? Why do people have so much hate? Hate is born of fear. So what about LGBTQ humans, makes heterosexual people afraid? There are so many other things on this planet to be fearful of, that being afraid of people in love is pointless and a waste of emotion and brain power. 49 wonderful people went out to have a good time and lost their lives because of one mans' hate. But we should never stop asking WHY? Maybe one day the spirit of the universe will answer.

Why indeed Gary.. Why? There's not an answer yet that I've heard to satisfy me.

Such beautiful words and moving sentiment. Just keep telling yourself, one day there will be more of us (the ones that use the extra room in ourselves for love and not hate) than there will be of them. Until then, just know there is more to that family that loves you and accepts you than you realize.

On 06/14/2016 03:52 AM, Parker Owens said:

Sending you love today, for your words, for your strength, for your life. This is an important strain in the voices that must be heard.

Thank you. Parker. I need to feel love today...

On 06/14/2016 04:12 AM, LitLover said:

We—are never, ever, ever—going away

 

We are family... and stronger than our enemies, because our strength lies in love... not hate....

 

Two very powerful... one as part of the poem, and the other as a statement of what we need to remember right now. We are more powerful together. Although I fear for friends more that I did two days ago, I will be the first to walk with them as they hold hands down the street, or hug as they say hello, and even to dance in a place that should have always meant safety, but will continue to mean love and acceptance.

Thank you, Lit... as bad, as horrendous this is... we have to remember the gains we have fought for and won...

On 06/14/2016 04:50 AM, AC Benus said:

It gives me goosebumps, Gary

Thank you for reading, AC... we'll get through this...

On 06/14/2016 05:55 AM, northie said:

Written with such fiery, proud defiance. Profoundly moving. It was a privilege to be able to read this.

Thank you, northie... in the face of hatred, proud defiance must be mustered...

On 06/14/2016 06:33 AM, Mikiesboy said:

:heart - I'm goin to my grave with Why on my lips..

Thanks, tim... it's a question we've asked for lifetimes...

On 06/14/2016 09:27 AM, Drew Espinosa said:

:heart:

 

Thank you Gary.

Thank you, Drew... together we suffer, and we must always remember...

On 06/14/2016 09:36 AM, ColumbusGuy said:

I was struck with only one thought reading this: hate is easier to express and understand than love because it is so rare in the real world.

Many couples might have once felt love, but it has since decayed into complacency or familiarity, with no divine spark to it. How many couples had it to begin with, mistaking love for what was actually fondness and convenience? Those who teach hate from their pulpits to infect yet another generation have never felt this emotion--if they had, they would teach it instead of bogotry. It was clearly stated that Christ's testament replaced the Old Teachings,but embracing the new is hard when the old ways are so much easier with their familiar tag lines.

Any person who has true love in his/her hear will recognize it in whatever guise, and be happy someone else shares it. You have only to look at the world around you to see how rare a gift this is, and perhaps always has been since the species began.

Kudos G-Man, for asking the very important question of 'Why?'t

Thank you, CG... so true... we know how to love...

On 06/14/2016 09:37 AM, Reader1810 said:

Negativity and scorn vs. positivity and acceptance...

 

Only the ignorant and the blackhearted would choose the former. You are beautiful just the way you are Gary. I am the lucky one to call you friend.

Thank you, Reader...it's in these times we must appreciate each other the most...

On 06/14/2016 10:34 AM, LadyDe said:

Thank you for voicing so eloquently what I've always wanted to know. Why? Why is seeing same sex couples being together upset people so much? Who are they hurting? How can you disdain LOVE in any form it manifests? How boring will this planet be if everyone is the same? Why do people have so much hate? Hate is born of fear. So what about LGBTQ humans, makes heterosexual people afraid? There are so many other things on this planet to be fearful of, that being afraid of people in love is pointless and a waste of emotion and brain power. 49 wonderful people went out to have a good time and lost their lives because of one mans' hate. But we should never stop asking WHY? Maybe one day the spirit of the universe will answer.

Thanks, LadyDe... well said... maybe one day we won't need to ask why...

On 06/14/2016 11:38 AM, Defiance19 said:

Why indeed Gary.. Why? There's not an answer yet that I've heard to satisfy me.

Nor me... thanks, Def...

On 06/14/2016 04:48 PM, pzetts3 said:

Such beautiful words and moving sentiment. Just keep telling yourself, one day there will be more of us (the ones that use the extra room in ourselves for love and not hate) than there will be of them. Until then, just know there is more to that family that loves you and accepts you than you realize.

Smart words... I keep reminding myself that love surrounds me... thank you, pzetts...

Wow! Gary thank you for showing the everyday life of what happens when we are hated for no damn reason! It is very hard to fathom what happens when you want to hold your lovers/mate hand and you are being judged. However, a heterosexual couple can do it all day. I love that you put Walmart in here as well because it is sooooo true. I do not know if I told you, but I am a 5 “7” African- American male from Alabama. My boyfriend is a 6”3” Caucasian male from Florida and we get a lot of looks (LOL) sometimes we find it comical, but it can really hurt. To take a word from you, we hope one day it will dissipate. It is with sincere appreciation that I enjoyed your realistic view of what happens in our lives we are judge by looks. Please keep doing what you do, it uplifts us all!

5 hours ago, patrick1991 said:

Wow! Gary thank you for showing the everyday life of what happens when we are hated for no damn reason! It is very hard to fathom what happens when you want to hold your lovers/mate hand and you are being judged. However, a heterosexual couple can do it all day. I love that you put Walmart in here as well because it is sooooo true. I do not know if I told you, but I am a 5 “7” African- American male from Alabama. My boyfriend is a 6”3” Caucasian male from Florida and we get a lot of looks (LOL) sometimes we find it comical, but it can really hurt. To take a word from you, we hope one day it will dissipate. It is with sincere appreciation that I enjoyed your realistic view of what happens in our lives we are judge by looks. Please keep doing what you do, it uplifts us all!

Thanks, buddy! And thank you for giving me the mental picture of you and Shawn... I love it. Even though I write about big tall men a lot, I have a soft spot for ones that fit nicely under my arm  . I understand how the looks can hurt. Even here in a mostly more tolerant Canada, we still get them. It's why many of us stay within the confines of the 'village.' I personally can't do that... I live in the country for the most part, and have learned not to care don't what anyone thinks. It's not easy though. What happened at Pulse can happen anywhere... even the places we think we are safe... just thinking about it kicks my anger into gear again... sorry... I'm really glad you liked the poem... I hope it helped the victims and those affected by the horror... much love... Gary xoxo