My Words Kissed Her Eyes

In the late 1970s, my family and I moved from our red-brick house in the inner-city of Rochester, New York to a rented town-house in a surrounding suburb. This particular town-house rental community had a pool and a tennis court, and was close to the beach, as well as the area's best hamburger resturant and the original Abbott's Ice Cream parlor.

What more could anyone want, right?

It was a tough time growing up in the city. I was a cute and artistic little boy, and as a result, all the little girls were after me.

Also consequently, though unfortuately, not all, but most of the little boys in the neighborhood were jealous of me. So they frequently beat me up or called me names - horrible, hurtful names.

But when I was 17, and in the year that I graduated from high school, which was an equally tough time for me - filled with continuous bullying, my family and I moved to that rented town-house in the suburbs - which ultimately proved to be somewhat of a paradise, at least for a little while.

For during that entire summer - of 1978 - by the pool and the tennis courts, I ever-enjoyed the sun. It was the war-less era of Grease at the movies, and Three's Company was on TV. I was planning for college for the coming Fall, though not sure which college it was to be. I wasn't working yet, but also that Fall, I would get a job at the local supermarket (cleaning the meat department, and later, as the "Head of Maintenance").

But before any of that transpired - there was the carefree spirit of the pool...and the sun...and the laughter of new friendships.

And there was also "Diana" - a beautiful young woman who can only be described now as an ideal cross between Farrah Fawcett and Christie Brinkley.

It's important to note, too, that, by this time in my life, most of the "bullies" were gone - and I had found a new confidence. Not only did John Travolta's performance in Grease echoe in a new era, but his character named "Tony Minero," in that year's release of Saturday Night Fever, had given me an "identity." All the kids who once laughed at my dancing, when I was a young kid in the city, now wished they had my "moves."

I recall the Senior Ball, only months before my first visit to "the pool." A few "bully classmates" (I guess that's what you could call them) tried to "pull one over on me." They went up to the band, and asked the lead vocalist to call my name to the dance floor, because, "apparently," she said, "this Herbie-J-person can dance."

"Well," she went on to say, "let's see what Herbie J can do."

So, my name was called, and the band started to play a disco version of "I Love NY."

Instead of turning away from the request, I went into the dance, full-throttle. As I started toward the center of the dance floor, which was cleared and waiting for me, I turned to those certain "class bullies," who were laughing and pointing, and calling me names, each with their girlfriends standing beside them, in unison.

Instead of snearing towards their way, I ignored them - and said to myself, "They want to see a dance? Well, they're gonna' get a dance."

And the music played on - and I danced...mimicking nearly every move Travolta performed in the solo sequence of Saturday Night Fever.

When I was done - the bullies were silent - though with their jaws dropped. And each of their girlfriends ran from their side - and rushed up to me - and adorned me with non-stop kisses and hugs.

It was pretty awesome - a moment in time that almost compensated for the four-years of high-school trauma that each of their boyfriends put me through. But it was also an awesome moment because it prepared for my dance for Diana.

Because again, a month or two after my prom, there I was - at the pool, laying in the sun. And there, only a few yards away, was Diana.

Somehow, I knew had to meet her. So, after about an hour of trying to figure out how I was going to do that, and what I was going to say, she started to gather her towel to leave.

I was like, "Oh, great! Now what?"

She then started walking passed the lifeguards to the exit, and paced over to the lawn, between the pool and the tennis courts.

I had to move - and I had to move quickly.

So I got up off my towel, and ran over to the black rail fence that now stood between us, she on the outside of the pool, and me on the inside - and I called out to her, saying, "Excuse me - but what's it like to have blue eyes?"

She stopped, turned, and smiled, and said, "I dunno. What's it like to have brown eyes?"

We both laughed and talked a little more, and then she left.

I'm not sure how many other times I saw her again. But somehow, a few days later, I was dancing for her in her family's townhouse.

We never dated. We never went up the street to the beach, to get a hamburger or an ice-cream. I don't think we ever even sat at the pool together again or played tennis. And we certainly never kissed or even embraced.

But somehow, in that simpler, happy summer of '78, Diana made me smile - and I made her smile a little bit, too.

I went on to college (Nazareth) that Fall, and never saw or heard from her again.

That is, until last week...when I received a message from her, "out of the blue," on Facebook.

She remembered how I asked about her blue eyes, and she reminded me of how I gifted her with a plaque with spiritual words upon it that defined true friendship. We messaged one another a few more times, back and forth - and she expressed so many kind thoughts about how I made an impression on her that summer...an impression that I thought only I remembered.

But in fact, I finally realized what it's "like to have blue eyes"...and how Diana and I had really "kissed" after all - on that first moment we met.

For her eyes were kissed by my words...words from the past that somehow spoke back to me in the present with a loving-kind vision of an immortal moment in time.

My Thoughts For The Day

People either "get you" or they don't. But whether or not they think you are wonderful, doesn't change the fact that you ARE wonderful.

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A person of true grace embraces imperfection and replaces it with love - and forgiveness.

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There is a great war going on in the world - between nice people and mean people. Don't let the "blue-meannies" win.

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You don't have to do one dang thing to earn the respect and love of a true human being of substance...for quality recognizes quality - automatically.

Sammy's Happy

When my nephew Sammy was about nine-years-old, he contracted a very serious viral infection. He was always a healthy little boy, athletic and never really ill - and certainly always happy. He never really had a big appetite, but during that one particular period, he wasn't eating very much at all. And he very much worried everyone in the family.

I knew for certain one day that the infection was serious, when he and his Mom - my sister, Pam - came over to see our parents (Frances and Herbie P.).

Sammy was bone thin, pale and weak.

I was so disturbed by his appearance, that I was forced to turn my head and cry, being sure not to show him my tears. For he certainly was not crying himself, and I did not want to make even a dent in his courage.

Instead - I thought only to make him laugh...to encourage him to be more joyful than he already was - and remains to this day.

For not only does Sammy laugh - but he loves to laugh...and he can't wait to laugh. And not in a mean-spirited way at the expense of others. But he loves to laugh the real joyful kind of laughter.

So, those now fifteen years or so ago, I had to act quickly. I had to swiftly somehow dry my tears.

I then turned to him, pulled him close and hugged him hello. Real tight.

I felt the bones on his back - and I almost cried some more. But I kept it together...concentrated...and somehow gathered my emotions...and recalled every joyful thought or joke I could muster...making a new few laughs along the way.

And then Sammy started to laugh...and I continued to tell jokes.

And he laughed some more.

And then some more.

And more still.

And my jokes kept coming...and he kept laughing - especially when I threw in a few silly physical manic moves of a clown.

A desperate clown.

Though Sammy never knew how desperate I really was to make him laugh.

And it didn't matter.

All that mattered is that he laughed.

And then a few days later - we all smiled.

Sammy was eating again, and gaining weight. He was getting healthier - and finally, his very serious viral infection was gone - replaced by a very happy infectious laughter and healing joy - that he continues to share to this day.

Vote for the INDIVIDUAL!

Vote for the best person for the job. Focus on their humanity, integrity, wisdom, and leadership capabilities - and don't just vote for them because they share your cultural heritage, religious beliefs, or political affiliation. Vote for the INDIVIDUAL.

Meeting the Heston Family at the World Premiere of the Cecil B. Demille's newly-restored 1956 cinema classic "The Ten Commandments"

A few weeks ago, I was privledged enough to attend the world premiere, special screening of Paramount's newly-restored and quite beautiful edition of Cecil B. Demille's 1956 feature film classic, The Ten Commandments, which just so happens to be my favorite movie of all time.

The screening took place at the Hollywood's (also newly-and-beautifully restored) Egyptian Theatre (where Demille's original 1923 edition of The Ten Commandments debuted). And those also in attendance included Lydia and Fraser Heston, the widow and son of the film's iconic star, Charlton Heston (who passed away in 2008).

The Ten Commandments is my favorite film for several reasons, though with specific regard to dialogue, cinematography, acting and, of course, the direction and over-all vision from Mr. DeMille. Either way, all of it, was and remains top-notch, timeless - and pure.

But to have actually sat in the theatre with Heston's wife and son (the latter of whom actually appeared in the film - as Baby Moses), was simply grand; an experience that lasted somewhat more significantly for a short-time after the movie finished playing.

After it was over, I and a few friends waited for the theatre to empty.

In doing so, the timing was just right, as we became some of the last to exit the theatre - just in time to run into Mr. Heston's son and wife as they were walking to their limo.

I approached Mr. Heston - and told him how, not only is the movie my favorite, but I also had the opportunity to chat with him about my favorite SCENE in the movie:

Shortly after Heston's Moses is cast from Egypt, and when he is nursed back to health by his future wife Sephora (portrayed by Yvonne DeCarlo), and all her beautiful sisters - in the land of Midian.

Here, Moses is no longer the Prince of Egypt and he's not yet The Deliverer. As I relayed to Fraser Heston, "He's just a guy. Just a regular guy." And it's one of the sweetest moments in the film.

Mr. Heston was complimentary and appreciative of my words and insight. And he was very personal and kind (wanting to know my name, etc.).

In all, to be there at the world premiere of the reissue of my favorite film....and to sit in the same theatre with the Heston family....and later to have been able to actually chat about the film - and my favorite scene -to Fraser Heston (while his Mom waited in the car, no less)...well....it was just plain awesome.

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See the trailer via the link below:
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1106968857/

The Return of Simple Pleasures via ABC News and Author Leslie Blume

Author Leslie Blume appeared on ABC's Good Morning, America to talk about her awesome new book, LET'S BRING BACK, which suggests its important for each of us to return to the "simpler pleasures."

Please see the video link below for more.


http://news.yahoo.com/video/entertainment-15749636/the-return-of-simple-pleasures-22704485

Brian Wilson's "Love and Mercy" - It's What We All Need

Lyrics to

LOVE AND MERCY

by Brian Wilson

(followed by a link to the video)

I was sittin' in a crummy movie
With my hands on my chin
all the violence that occurs
Seems like we never win

Love and mercy that's what you need tonight
Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

I was lying in my room
And the news came on TV
A lotta people out there hurtin'
And it really scares me

Love and mercy that's what you need tonight
Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

I was standing in a bar
And watching all the people there
Oh the loneliness in this world
Well it's just not fair

Love and mercy that's what we need tonight
Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN98_tRLkEQ