Trans

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 

~ from John 8

We were called to LOVE.  Not Judgement.

The 1977 Trans Am

I have no right to tell you you’re WRONG if you don’t truly appreciate Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed and of course Jackie Gleason, and the smoking hot car that lightnings across the screen in 1977’s Smokey and the Bandit.  Maybe you are wrong <not really>.  And we’ll refrain from discussing the General Lee - not the groundhog, but the Dodge Charger that The Dukes drove screaming through Hazard County!

Trans Atlantic Flight

I have NEVER flown a Transatlantic flight, but I long to put my feet on the rich soil (historically and physically) of Scotland, Ireland and the aged countryside that my heart knows shares some of my past, my being.  How can I judge something I’ve never experienced?  I know I’m not always the best traveller through the skies, I’m still waiting on my red cape and spandex suit…

Trans Siberian Orchestra

I HAVE seen the Trans Siberian Orchestra back in Atlanta.  It was a pretty good show as long as I didn’t wear my trained musician ears and just enjoy the show and music.  And even if I did start judging, I’m not the guy up there.  I’m not performing.  I don’t know what each performing member has going on - on the stage, in their personal lives, what’s driving or hindering them.  I just need to sit back and experience.  And if I don’t like it I can just NOT buy a ticket to see it again.  That simple.

But there’s another Trans…

Who am I?  I’m a child of God.  A man.  A father, a son, a brother.  I’m healthy and as close to whole as I’ve ever felt in my life.  Regardless of what or who I am, I am loved.  

And I CANNOT, WILL NOT, hopefully ever look down on another of God’s creation who is finding their own path in this life.  My faith WON’T allow it.  The God I love so dearly just isn’t about the dagger of judgement and shame that I have experienced so many times in the past.  If God is Love, then I need to show LOVE <3 

You be you.  God and Jesus love you - at least in my simple understanding.  I know that we all are different.  People, stop shunning and start hugging.  I know different, odd, diverse is often scary.  I’ve lived in that circle and circumstance my entire life.  Just FUCKING Stop.  Show love - and not love with a BUT.

“I love you, BUT if you would only”…  NO!  

I love you.  I love each of you.  My enemy and my friend.  My family and my coworkers.  My tribe and those I get to meet along the way.

Who didn’t love the Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit.

While it’s a little scary to me, Trans Atlantic bridges the lands across the seas.

Though not everyone’s jam, the Trans Siberian Orchestra has some really cool Christmas music.

Maybe I’m a man trying to be Transcendental.  Look that word up.  

Maybe we should all be a little more Trans…

~ Peace & Love

The Burtle 

“…he sat down to teach them.

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, 

“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 

They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, 

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 

Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. 

“Go now and leave your life of sin.”

John 8:2-11

Little Old Lady and Her Little Old Man

Sat there and watched them, almost blatantly staring.  Little old lady and her little old man. Wanted to go and talk to them but honestly the story in my head would suffice.  

“They’ve been married for 62 years.  She looked longingly at him as she sat waiting - he fetching both of their sodas from the machine.  They were young and involved at an early age and one of their first dates was at a new-at-the-time soda fountain where he paid for both of their Coca-Colas with the money he made washing cars and mowing lawns for the summer”

The reality - well I just don’t know? 

I have seen that connection before though.  My grandfather adored his wife, my grandmother, Berta Marie Martin.  They didn’t have 50 years, but I saw him take care of her as she lost the battle with Cancer - that bitch of a disease.  They still remain the couple I look to when I think of healthy, loving couples.

From that union brought four siblings.  My mother married her high school sweetheart and they were together 50 years before she passed in 2020.  My aunt married her’s as well and they still live and are uniquely happy in a world where so many just don’t seem to find or work for that. 49 years (Fifty in February)!

My Aunt Judy and Uncle Owen - 52 years; 

"They've not all been wonderful and great, but that's life and I can't imagine it being any other way" - Judy

My Uncle Weldon and Aunt Vicky - 43 years married + 7 years dating = 50 years!

"I still get butterflies!!" - Vicky

I’ve never known that.  I don’t know the deep commitment that it takes to keep marriage alive, thriving, full of life and love.  But I still believe.

I sat and watched the old couple, only half listening to the three young men I am working with.  Two of them are married and I’ve asked questions here and there about their relationships.  I do wish them well.  Not giving advice, because even though I think 'failure is experience', it’s not the same as someone who’s weathered the hard and come out on the other side.

Cambrey, my daughter is recently married and I pray for both she and Cody often.  I don’t know their path but I wish and hope the absolute best for them.  And as for me, well I’m still waiting on the “Dude” upstairs to shine his light down on someone special for me.

Maybe in 20 years I'll sit holding the hand of someone who looks at me the same way that little old lady looked at her beau.  With a smile of knowing…

…and a heart full of love.

~ Peace

The Burtle