THE MESSAGE:
What is a man of only one season? Metaphorically he is a person who sees but one horizon. The sun rises and sets each day but he can only notice the changes in temperatures, precipitation clouds and wind as they pertain to him. His existence is limited to caring about only those issues that effect his wants and needs.
Such a man, Gerardo, was born at the turn of the 20th century in a place affectionally referred to as ' The Old Country'. As a young child his schooling was extremely limited.
He graduated from elementary grade two with a certificate in what I call, 'Practical Agriculture' and that was the extent of his formal education. His time was dedicated to serving his family as a grower, gatherer, giver and gopher.
Consequently his life developed into one of total self reliance and self satisfaction. He volunteered to serve in the army as a teenager. I suspect it was as a result of finally being fed regular meals and provided with warm clothing.
After defecting from the army, - a result of the desertion of his superior officers - he happened upon an opportunity to leave The Old Country and emigrate to The New World.
The government in America had initiated a subsidy in Upper New York State to provide farmers with immigrant labourers in exchange for their room and board for a year. They would also provide transportation via the ocean vessels of the day and local transportation to a farm registered in the program.
THE BLURB:
Gerardo thrived in the program. He was an honest and hard worker who appreciated the chance to go through each day without a boot in the ass or a smack in the gob. After a year he moved to Syracuse and took a paying job with a construction company.
Gerardo then met and married Angelina, a recent immigrant from his former country. He decided to open a food market in an uptown location of the city. Of course his wife was not given the opportunity of consultation.
Gerardo's market thrived largely because of his determination and Angelina's hard work and sacrifices. They had four children together all of whom would become exposed to his non enlightened and selfish lifestyle. Eventually he sold the market, dabbled in building stores and housing, invested in land appreciation and retired to his gardens and small orchard.
The children had succumbed to a life of serving the 'master'. There was no time for comics, toys, friends or sports. They were to be 'seen and not heard from' unless it was to say, " Yes dad". The eldest girl was forced to quit school and help out in the market at home and in other situations. She eventually married and raised a family of her own.
The oldest boy left school and worked for dad's market. He became somewhat of a nuisance, as he was always challenging his father regarding friends and more freedom. He managed to get by thanks to the efforts of his mother Angelina. He now has a family of his own.
The two remaining siblings , a girl and a younger boy, attended school as very confused and somewhat distracted students. The girl, eventually fed up with abuse and maltreatment, left the province and settled on the West coast of Canada.
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| AN UNPAVED AND LESS TRAVELLED ROAD |
The youngest lad survived and graduated from high school. He earned a degree and later, a Masters degree. He married a beautiful girl and they moved to rural Manitoba, Canada where they taught school for over thirty years. Their family today includes six children and sixteen grandchildren. All of them were allowed stories, toys, comics, parties, sports, friends and completed educations of their choice.
THE QUESTION:
Did God screw up and allow children to grow without nurture and proper guidance?
THE LEMON:
THE QUOTE:
"God has blessed me with an amazing wife, family and friends that have been my joy, my support, and my sanity. Without them I would have been a lost soul." -Tony
THE CLIP:
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