Suckers!

We got this lesson at Church last week about “suckers”. Suckers are the shoots that come out of the bottom of fruit trees. They can flower and be pretty, but they don’t bear fruit they just “suck” the life out of the tree, so we trim them. We have “suckers” in our life too, things that are pretty or make us happy but don’t really bear fruit, they just “suck” time out of our life, and we need to trim them as well. 

For me, watching so much TV is a sucker, I could be much more productive with that time. Even my genealogy needs to be trimmed because I can get lost in the time spent and that becomes a “sucker.” I’m not going to preach to anyone, I’m just saying I’ve learned a new perspective, I have many “suckers” and the more I trim the better my life and all those who I come into contact will be. 

I think suckers are also bad habits and when you have a lifetime of bad habits, they’re not going to change over night. It’s a constant battle and I personally need reaffirmation all the time (so YES people, I’m going to Church now, regularly). But, like an addict, the first part is admitting you have a problem, and I’m admitting it. I don’t want to be the family asshole, who shoots his mouth off without care of other peoples feelings. I want to have peace, peace in my heart, peace in others around me. I don’t want to be the crusty guy who everyone thinks is funny, but no one really wants to be around or is afraid they’ll be the next target of.  

I want to have a positive influence on those around me and in order to get that I have to heal myself within. Stop judging, stop casting stones, start caring, start feeling. No more excuses of “no time”, trim the suckers back if not all the way out and make the time to be the person I want to be. The person God sees me as and my family can take inspiration from!

Another Tragedy!

Our prayers go out to the victims of both the NIU and EO Green school shooting tragedies.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

And let me just add there were many victims here, on both sides of the triggers. The families of those who lost their lives, as well as all those who witnessed these horrifying events; they’re lives have been forever altered.

I wrote and rewrote this opinion several different ways over the course of today. I ranted about lots of different things but kept coming back to it and rewriting it.

You don’t need a lecture during this time, certainly not one from me of all people. Children are dead today and honestly there is no reason for it. Any spin you try to put on it is just an excuse.

Hug and kiss your children everyday. Tell them and SHOW them how much you love them. And most importantly, be the example for them to grow up into and out of!

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

The Candyman

Joseph Songi, c. 1830

Here is the Candyman himself. This is a photo I received years ago of Joseph Songi. Can you tell if he’s Italian, French or Russian? It’s still undecided.

It’s been noted before that Joseph traveled to and from the “continent” several times. He said himself in the London Times article that he was married in 1798 in Lake Como, Italy. But nowhere have we found evidence he was born in Italy.

Family history states he was the pastry chef for the Russian ambassador in Italy. That could mean he was Russian as custom was for the Ambassador’s to bring their staff from their home country. If this was the case however, why was he exiled to England?

Was he French? I’ve found a large number of Songi’s originating from France. Many immigrated to America and settled in the one time French possession of Louisiana. It could easily be conceived that Joseph headed to Italy and when Napoleon rolled through he exiled to England rather than back to a Napoleonic France.

Not sure at this point, but I’m willing to listen to any and all theories. Facts wouldn’t bother me either!

02/19/2008 Note: I was going through old pictures and certificates this past weekend (a new separate post will come from that) and realized when I looked at the back of this picture it is not our Candyman but his son, Joseph Jr. Also a Candyman but born in England and that would probably make this picture from around 1850 or so.

Ralph Marshall and Our English Marshall’s revisited!

Originally posted Friday, October 12, 2007 on Blogger!

I have been kicking around and ultimately dreading revisiting what I’ve found in regards to Ralph (see previous post titled “Our English Marshall’s”) and his four siblings that had seemingly come from an incestuous relationship between my Great-Great-Grandpa Richard Marshall and his sister Jane.

I’ve said before in this space how I’ve been somewhat obsessed with GGG Richard. He was ultimately who I take my name from. My dad named me Richard because he always liked the name and I’m thinking my Great-Uncle Dick Fitzpatrick had something to do with that. Uncle Dick was presumably named for his Grandpa and my GGG Richard Marshall of Cornwall.

Now family stories (and I can’t remember who said it, sorry) state Richard committed suicide at an early age and census records said he was a painter. I immediately conjured up the image of a tortured artist who ended his misunderstood life. I mean his father was “Keeper” at the Bodmin Asylum when Richard was born and eventually Richard joined his father as an attendant at the Asylum. It was there that he met his wife, Jane Lane, who also was an attendant. So see tortured soul isn’t too far a stretch really, is it?

And when you put his job descriptions together (assistant keeper, house decorator, painter) you can see why I jumped to the conclusion of a possible tortured artist who couldn’t take it anymore. The problem however with most of my assumptions is the facts don’t seem to back them up. House decorator was something of a “butler” I’m told or “gentlemen’s attendant,” which is in line with the work he did at the Asylum in Cornwall. The painter probably arose from that, not actually an artist but a “house” painter (?). When I received Richard’s death certificate recently it gave me a whole new perspective. The underlying factor in his death at age 48 (not by suicide btw) was lead poisoning (obviously from the painting). Something he had been dealing with for 15 years apparently.

15 years of languishing from the effects of lead poisoning led to many other anomalies (Hemophilia, Asthenia, strokes, cystic fibrosis among others). And while I’m sure the incest had something to do with the birth defects of the surviving children (and the deaths of the other two), the effects from the lead poisoning had to have also. Who knows what the years of working in the Asylum would’ve done to his psyche in those harsh times of the late 1800’s. Couple in the death of his wife and partner, effects from lead poisoning and his subservient sister’s arrival to take care of my young Great Grandfather Albert, tortured soul might not be too far off the track.

Which all leads us back to Poor Uncle Ralphie in an off beat, ‘cart before the horse’ sort of way. My suspicions had been that Ralph’s (and Florrie, Leonard, Charles and Ethel) mother was not Jane Lane as their brother’s (my Great-Grandpa Albert E. the 1^st) was, but Jane Marshall, their biological Aunt. Although I have yet to find Jane Marshall nee Lane’s death documented anywhere, family history tells us it was around 1887. And yes, I know, this is the same family history that said Richard committed suicide, but bear with me on this one.

Both Ralph and Leonard’s (I haven’t got Florrie, Charles or Ethel’s yet) birth certificates state the father as Richard and the mother as Jane Marshall nee Talling. Now that is one of two people, neither of which bodes well to dispel the incest allegation. It is either Richard’s 70+ year old Mother Jane Marshall nee Talling or his sister who was still a Marshall and had no maiden name so used her Mother’s. The 1891 UK census shows Jane as “sister” with the correct birth date information. The presumably same Jane is listed as “spouse” in the 1901 UK census. When Richard died at home of complications brought on by the 15 years of lead poisoning, it was Jane Marshall “sister” who reported it and signed the death certificate.

I still need to find and confirm Jane Marshall nee Lane passed away in or around 1887 and without DNA evidence it will always be just speculation or circumstantial evidence, but unfortunately for me anyway, I’m pretty sure GGG Richard went off the reservation and slept with his sister at least FIVE times.

It isn’t over either, I mean it could’ve been a cousin named Jane Talling and first cousin or not that would be better than his sister right? I’ll keep digging but I wonder, if it were incest, how did my ancestors feel about this whole lurid affair. I mean in the 1901 UK census Mother Jane Marshall nee Talling is living with GGG Richard and his “spouse” Jane. Florrie, Ralphie and Leonard had already been born at this time, Charles and Ethel had both passed. What did Mother Jane think, did she condone it, did she recommend it, did it anguish her?

What about my Great-Grandpa Bertie? He would’ve been about 10 when his Mom passed and 13 or 14 when all this stuff was happening. He was definitely old enough to know the difference between his Mother and his Auntie. Did he have a relationship at all with Step-Mom/Auntie Jane? Did he have a relationship with Florrie or Ralphie or Leonard? It almost feels like the Songi’s “adopted” my Great-grandpa Bert as he was entirely immersed in their culture by 1901 when he was marrying my Great-grandma Amy Marshall-Fitzpatrick nee Songi. Maybe he was embarrassed or mortified by the connection. Why else was he found as witness to his older sisters marriages but none of his half-siblings are anywhere in his dealings.

And what about my Grandpa Albert C. Marshall? He was 16 when he left for America with his family and new Step-Dad John Fitzpatrick. Obviously old enough to know about his poor Uncle Ralphie living right down the street. What did he think of this whole mess, did he know, or were they kept from this side of the family? When the family sailed for America it was William John Songi who came to see them off and the same Songi family that corresponded with “Tiny Grandma” (Amy Fitzpatrick) once they were stateside.

No other mentions of the Marshall’s left behind, in fact, I’m not sure if my Dad or his sisters even knew there were other Marshall’s still in England when their Daddy brought our name to California. If I am the first in our line to find them and bring them back to life, well I’m pretty proud of that. The possible story about them? Not so proud. But, really, when I try to picture my Great-Uncle Ralphie being diagnosed as “slow”, a man who “with great effort” can manage to spell his name only, whose only work was a “little tidying up for Mother” whose chest was not fully developed and suffered from partial blindness. I don’t get disgusted by the fact he may be a product of incest, I get sad at the treatment he must’ve bared for his mental retardation and the cruel lack of knowledge people had towards that in those days. I feel for how his life ended, in the barracks cleaning up, not in the arms of his Mother who was just blocks away and had cared for him his entire life.

I don’t know what it is about this mental picture I’ve created of Ralphie, but I can’t get him out of my head and I’m not done with his story. I’ll press on and good or bad I’ll bring back the facts, all with my arm around that big lug, my Great-Uncle Ralph!

Joseph Songi Sr., the not so sweet Candyman! – Revisited

Originally posted Wednesday, September 19, 2007 on Blogger!

Okay, I found the article on the 15^th that started this mess and it’s not pretty, nor does it appear to be the first time.

The Times (London, Middlesex, England)

Saturday, June 15^th, 1833

Marlborough Street. – Joseph Songi, a foreigner carrying on an extensive business as a confectioner at 269, Regent-street, and a gaily-dressed female, assuming the name of Theresa Songi, were charged yesterday by the wife of the former with having violently assaulted her.

The complainant, who has been frequently at this office in consequence of the ill usage of her husband, from whom she has been for some time parted, stated that having had occasion to apply at his house in Regent-street for payment of three weeks’ arrears of the pittance of 7s. per week which he allowed her for her and her children’s support, she was assaulted by her husband and the female with whom he cohabited, and she was thrust ultimately into the street.

Mr. Dyer remarked that the last time the parties were before him he had hoped the defendant, Joseph Songi, had come to some sense of decent feeling towards his wife; but, from what he now heard, he was afraid he had been mistaken.

The defendant (Joseph Songi) replied, that he could not afford to keep up the payment of 7s. a week to his wife.

Mr. Dyer could not believe that a person occupying such a house as the defendant did, and apparently carrying on such an extensive business, could not pay the small sum he had consented to allow his wife.

The wife said that it was a very hard case for her, after having been his wife for 24 years, and having had a family by him, to be turned out of a home to make room for the female who was flaunting in finery before them. When her husband brought that young woman home he told her she was his daughter; but she had not been in the house two days before she discovered and improper intercourse existed between them; and, because she would not consent to an arrangement infamously immoral, she was ill used, and ultimately turned out of doors.

Mr. Dyer remarked, that he felt assured her character and conduct were irreproachable, for he had seen many written testimonials from persons of consideration, all speaking in the highest manner of her, and it was quite lamentable to observe the situation in which the behaviour of her husband had placed her.

After some further conversation, the warrant was discharged, upon the male defendant paying the arrears, and entering into his own recognizance to keep the peace towards his wife for three months, and also becoming surety for the future good behaviour of the women.

So, not so nice Candyman at all, right? Brings back a young girl from the “continent” and kicks his wife to the curb. This “Theresa Songi” who has been passed off as a cousin and daughter was a gold digger for sure and even got the old man to try and renounce his parentage of the two boys, Joseph Jr. and John. I’m sure when Joseph Sr. passed on, the ownership of the confectioner’s shop got “sticky” pun intended. I’ll try and find more and get back to everyone.

Joseph Songi Sr., the not so sweet Candyman!

Originally posted Thursday, September 13, 2007 on Blogger
For years I have been chasing my Italian forefather Joseph Songi. Family history stated he was born about 1785 in Lake Como, Italy. He served as the pastry chef for the Russian Ambassador and was exiled to England (probably when Napoleon rampaged in the early 1810’s). In England he opened and maintained a confectioner’s shop in what I’m told is now Picadilly Square, London.

He married Elizabeth Cranham about 1815 and they had two sons, Joseph Jr. born about 1815/16 and John, born about 1816/17. The family history stated the confectioner’s shop was opened in 1828 at 269 Regent St. Joseph supposedly died during an Cholera outbreak in 1831/32. About 1833 Elizabeth moved around the corner to 22, Gt. Castle Street where she started a dressmaking business with her widowed sister, Mrs. Ann Holman. The family still owned and operated the Regent St. business until 1840, although no longer living on the premises. Later another widowed sister, Mrs. Maria Santi went to live with Elizabeth and Ann.

Clear as mud right? Wrong. I can find no references to the name in Songi in Italy. Some refer to a “Songia” family that lived down the mountain from Lake Como, so possibly. The Songi name is prominent in France (and came to America in Louisiana as Songy) and have found reference to a Songi family in Estonia (Baltic state that was swallowed up by Russia for a time). My sister Janell has said in the past that the Ambassadors usually brought their staff’s with them. This would make Joseph Russian and the Estonia find backs that up. Plus, it’s never been proven that Joseph was born in Lake Como, just that he came from Lake Como, Italy as a “political exile”.

There are references that he made trips back and forth “to the continent” and I’m not sure if this is Italy or France. But one thing I did find is Joseph was alive in June of 1833, not dead of Cholera like previously believed. Apparently as you’ll see below, Jos. Sr. took out a paid advertisement in the form of a “letter to the editor” to try and rid himself of his wife and the 7 sterling per week he was ordered to pay…

The Times (London, Middlesex, England)

Saturday, June 22^nd, 1833

(Advertisement)

To the Editor of the Times

Sir, – As a tradesman anxious to maintain his character among his numerous connexions, I have to request, as an act of justice, the privilege of inserting in your columns a few words in answer to a report of the proceedings at the police-office, Marlborough-street, in your paper of the 15^th inst., a report which, if allowed to pass unexplained, is calculated to do me considerable injury.

I am there charged with deserting my wife and children, and refusing to pay the sum of 7s. per week for their maintenance.

In justice to myself, I most solemnly declare, that the female who assumed the character of Mrs. Songi is not my wife, nor has any legal claim upon me. Upwards of 24 years since I unfortunately contracted an intimacy with her, and have, until her conduct became highly improper, paid every attention to her wants and comforts, and treated her in every way as a wife. We have now been separated for more than eight years, at which time she voluntarily left me; and of her family (two sons) the eldest is with me as an assistant, and the youngest, who is now 18 years of age, I have, at considerable pains and expense, fully instructed in every department of the confectionary business, and enabled him to gain a respectable livelihood.

I would further beg to notice, that the complainant is stated to have produced a marriage certificate; such was not the fact, the document produced being a license for marriage, and which was obtained without my privity of consent. My only marriage took place in the Cathedral Church of Como, in Italy, in the year 1798, with the mother of my daughter Therese Songi, now with me; full proof of which I can at any time produce, both by documentary evidence and the testimony of many persons of the highest character, natives of this country, and Italy.

I have the honour to be, Sir, your very obedient servant,

269, Regent-street, June 19. JOSEPH SONGI

So what did I take from this. Well, quite a lot really. Looks like Joseph first consummated his relationship with Elizabeth around 1810. If Jos. Jr. came around then (Sr. isn’t claiming them above “her family”) he’d be born probably 1811/12 not 1816 like previously believed. John “who is now 18” would put his birthday around 1815 not 1817 like previously thought. Also, he doesn’t say anything about being born in Lake Como, just married there, in 1798, which means he would be 13 if born in 1785 like we thought. And if they had truly been separated for 8 years, Elizabeth probably moved into the Gt. Castle location earlier than 1833. I think he was paying support and when John came of age he didn’t want to shell it out anymore. The paid advertisement above prompted a tearry eyed rant to the local magistrates that was reported in the same Times just two days later.

The Times (London, Middlesex, England)

Monday, June 24^th, 1833

Marlborough Street. – Mrs. Songi, wife of Mr. Joseph Songi, the confectioner in Regent Street, came on Saturday to this office in great distress of mind, to complain to the sitting magistrates that her husband had, under the colour of an advertisement, made use of the columns of The Times newspaper to add another to the many injuries she has already sustained from him, by public denial that she was his wife, – a falsehood which, if allowed to go uncontradicted, would have the effect of destroying her little business as a dressmaker, by which she supported herself and children, and would deprive her of the protection and countenance of those persons of consideration who were acquainted with her story and who commiserated her situation.

Mr. Dyer – If Mr. Songi has inserted anything injurious towards you, it has been paid for as an advertisement, as you will perceive from that word having been placed over his letter to the editor. I have read the letter, and every word it contains is directly opposed to the facts which have been proved at this office. The letter has given me great surprise, and I am quite at a loss to conceive how Mr. Songi could have brought his mind to write it. My opinion of his conduct is such that I will not trust myself to speak my sentiments of it.

Mrs. Songi – He says that he never was married to me. I have my certificate at this moment in my pocket.

Mr. Dyer – On a former occasion when you were here you proved incontestably that you were his wife. You produced your marriage certificate, and the clerk of St. James Church, who gave you away, came forward and immediately identified Mr. Songi as your husband.

Mr. Conant – I recollect the circumstances of the case perfectly. I never knew a marriage more distinctly proved.

Plank, the chief officer – Your worships will probably recollect that Mr. Songi said the certificate produced at that time was forged, and you then directed the case to stand over in order to procure the attendance of the clerk of St. James’s, who, when he came, instantly pointed out Mr. Songi, and proved the certificate to be genuine.

Mr. Dyer – Yes, and I said at the time that Mr. Songi’s denial was so extraordinary I was determined to have it fully investigated. The result was that the magistrates ascertained your story to be true, and an order was made for Mr. Songi to allow you 7s. per week for your maintenance. When Mr. Songi was here a few days ago for assaulting you, I complimented him upon what I considered to be symptoms of a better feeling on his part, because he abstained from a denial of facts which I have no hesitation in saying have been fully borne out by evidence.

Mrs. Songi – It is cruel on his part to insert such a letter. It will ruin my little business, for no one will now admit me into their house, unless my character is cleared from this aspersion. This Therese Songi, whom he calls his “daughter” in the letter, has been the cause of all my unhappiness. When my husband first brought her from the continent, he introduced her into the house as his “niece” but I soon discovered this to be false, and this connexion has led to my being deprived of a home. This young woman has embittered the mind of my husband against his wife and children.

Mr. Dyer – We are perfectly ready to bear testimony, should it be needed, to your general good character and propriety of conduct, and I feel quite assured that the course pursued by Mr. Songi to injure you will have quite another effect.

Mr. Conant – You have produced to us excellent testimonials of character, and I have no objection to say that I have known you many years, and can bear testimony to your unblemished character and conduct.

Mrs. Songi, who was in tears during the conversation, after expressing her gratitude to the magistrates, quitted the office.

Alright, I didn’t get any dates out of this except that maybe the 15^th is when Joseph assaulted Elizabeth. I’m trying to find the report in the Times that prompted Joseph to pay for his story on the 22^nd. What I did get is Jos. Sr. brought back a little filly from the “continent” and tried to pass her off as his “niece” to his family. The story changed to “daughter” when all the ugliness started. I haven’t found proof of a marriage that Elizabeth had in hand when she went before the Magistrates. Nor have I found birth/death information on Joseph Sr. I’ll keep searching and when I find something, I’ll report it back to everyone here.

Our English Marshall’s

Originally posted Wednesday, August 29, 2007 on Blogger
I’m currently working on the family of my Great-grandfather Albert Edward Marshall, I. Bertie has always been a source of extreme interest for me. My father was named for him, he was killed in action during World War I (drafted at age 40 with six children), he was a bookkeeper (a trait that has been handed down a few generations) and he is the patriarch of our large population of Southern Californian Marshall/Fitzpatrick’s.

It has been commonly thought that Albert was the youngest of three children born to Richard (b. 1853) and Jane (Lane) Marshall (b. abt 1851). Albert was born in 1877, his two older sisters, Ada and Nellie we’re born in 1873 and 1874 respectively. It has also been thought that Jane had died in Jan 1887 and although I have that date from past research, I have no concrete data to support this.

The 1881 UK census showed John Marshall (62 – aged correctly) as head of household with wife Jane (Talling) Marshall (53 – aged correctly). Also listed are son Richard (26 – two years younger than he should be) and daughter-in-law, Jane (Lane) Marshall (29 – aged correctly). Their daughters Ada (8 – aged correctly), Nellie (7 – aged correctly) and son Bertie (3 – aged correctly). All makes sense at this point, but this is where things start to get murky too.

The 1891 UK census showed Richard (39 – aged correctly) living with SISTER, Jane Marshall (28 – 4 years younger than she should be), son Albert (12 – two years younger than he should be) and two new young children, Florence (2) and Ralph (6 mos). Gone are Grandma and Grandpa Marshall (haven’t been able to find them) and big sisters Ada and Nellie (both would be old enough to be married or working for someone else so could be enumerated elsewhere). Now I know census information can’t always be trusted and officially I have Richard and sister Jane seven to eight years apart, not 11 as suggested in this census. But Jane (Lane) Marshall is no where to be found and these two new children have come into the picture after the “unofficial” date of wife Jane’s death. Are they sister Jane’s kids given the Marshall last name in error on the census? Lots of questions as you can imagine.

I then found (and have since requested copies of) the births of five young children in the same area. Florence Jane Marshall (1889), Charles Talling Marshall (1889 – died same year), Ralph Talling Marshall (1890), Leonard Talling Marshall (1894) and Ethel Talling Marshall (1896 – died same year). Were Florrie and Charles twins? If all the others took Grandma’s maiden name of Talling as their middle name, why did Florrie get Jane? And again, which Jane mothered these children?

The 1901 UK census showed Richard (49 – aged correctly) and wife Jane (42 – which would be correct if this is sister Jane; not Jane Lane who would’ve been 51 if still alive) living with mother Jane (Talling) Marshall (Grandma’s back; 77 – aged correctly) sons Ralph (9), Leonard (7) and daughter Florrie (13).

I have two trains of thought here;
One – Jane (Lane)’s death was erroneously posted. In 1891 she was living with her in-laws Grandma and Grandpa John and Jane (Talling) Marshall, recovering from little Charles death. Sister Jane was living with Richard to take care of the children while mother Jane was convalescing. In 1901 mother Jane is back the dates are just incorrect.
Two – I tend to jump to conclusions without evidence so let me state this to you right now that I do not have backup yet to take me where you’re probably thinking I’m heading. That being said, I think sister Jane moved in to help with the kids when wife Jane died in 1887. Hush-hush stuff happened and 5 children were produced (3 surviving).

In 1901 my than 24 year old great grandpa Albert is no where to be found although family history states he was working for his future father-in-law at this time and this was shortly before he married Amy Songi (“tiny” grandma). How come I can find all the Songi’s (including Amy) and all the Marshall’s in the 1901 census but not Bert? Because I think the “hush-hush” stuff perhaps embarrassed him into changing his name at the time of the census.

With all these brothers and sisters around, none are witnesses at his wedding and none were ever mentioned to my Grandpa or his siblings (I seem to be the first to know about this second family). In fact, family history had stated Richard died young, perhaps suicide, although none of that was ever backed up with facts.

With no evidence to back up either theory I decided to error on the side of mis-information and search for actual proof. Maybe we have living Marshall’s in England to this day since Ralph and Leonard survived child birth.

I could not find anything concrete for Leonard (still looking to date) so I put him aside for the moment. Ralph was a different story though. I found Ralph in the WWI British pension records. Ralph enlisted in 1916 and was medically discharged in 1917. He never served in any capacity other than light labor at Union barracks because he suffered from congenital birth defects (more evidence of the hush-hush theory?). He had a “malformed” chest and at age 28 stated he had never worked, only “a little tidy up for his mother”. It was noted that he was mentally “childlike” and with some effort could manage to write his name, but that was about it. His next of kin was mother Jane. Ralph died in 1918 at the Union barracks in Hounslow where he and mother Jane lived (Hounslow not the barracks), never married and no children.

I’ve sent off for the birth certificates for the four “Talling middle named” children, the marriage certificate for Richard and Jane Lane, and the death certificate for a Jane Marshall born in Cornwall 1847, died in Hounslow 1919. I could be completely wrong with my assumptions… I hope so! If this is our mother Jane she would only have been 72 at the time of death and probably broken hearted that she had lost her son Albert to WWI, all his children (her grandchildren) to America and now her beloved Ralphie.

I’ll update as soon as I get more information or when the certs arrive!

HAPPY 99th BIRTHDAY to my great aunt Lucille Fitzpatrick this Friday, August 31st! Lucille is the wife of my great uncle, the late Frank (Marshall) Fitzpatrick.

The Devil’s Christian

Originally posted Tuesday, June 12, 2007 on Blogger
I learn stuff everyday, even today at age 42. I’ve learned that I am the perfect Christian in the Devil’s eyes. I know just enough to get in trouble. A little bit about a lot, but not enough about anything. I’m a good old fashioned middle-of-the-road, stuck on the fence, doubter. I don’t have enough passion about anything to pursue any different. I’m complacent and lazy. My soft, flabby, hairy, balding body is a metaphor for my faith. What little I have or had has fallen into disrepair due to lack of interest. I ask for and crave respect from others while I show none for myself.

My wife, Tina, gave me a CD last week that was the first in a summer series of sermons given by her Pastor, Ed Jenewein, on “Faith Building.” While my indifference keeps me from going or pursuing this needed information for myself, my wife keeps trying, bless her heart. And God knows I need this fuel for my soul, I always learn from the CD’s something about myself, or something I need to work on. I’m just too damn lazy to reach out and get the help I need for myself. I’ve got a thousand excuses but no real reasons.

I think of my life on that proverbial fence right now like a scene from Star Wars. I’m “Jabba the Hut” and my wife is “Princess Leia”. I’ve got a hold of this beautiful creature by the neck with a chain. She is seeking the truth, fighting evil, and I’m holding her back. The Word of God is the Force, Pastor Ed and her mentors in her weekly Bible study are Luke Skywalker and Hans Solo. The biggest problem however I have with this scenario is the ending. Luke and Hans will set her free and Jabba will perish in the huge jaws of some sand creature. I need to change that scene, or rewrite the ending at least. I know this, in my heart, but it’s a battle. A daily struggle with the Devil’s other friends, apathy and depression.

I guess like an alcoholic the first step is admitting you have a problem. I admit it. But, like the 1500 lb man, we’re going to need a crane and some walls knocked down to get me out of here.