A Simple Matter

JAN 11 2026 Simple Things

I remember learning how to tie my shoe. In my day I didn't have youtube to show me how to do everything, so we needed someone real to teach us. Usually a parent, a grandparent, or relative. In this case it was my Aunt. We were at the beach and my Aunt was swimming with us. I went back from the beach and was putting my shoes on and asked if she could tie my shoes. She said, “you don't know how?” No. “Let me show you.” And she did. And I learned how to tie my shoe. I think I was about 2 or 3 years old. She was younger than Mom and realized how much kids really knew. Tying my shoe was a simple thing and it was something I was very proud of that day. I never had to ask someone to tie my shoe again. I can't remember if Mom was impressed or not, but I didn't have to ask her anymore. My Aunt taught me other things as well. We were waiting in the car in the store parking lot. Probably waiting for my Mom to come out. I saw a lady come out of the store and I said to Auntie, “she's ugly.” My Aunt looked at me and said, “it's not what's on the outside but what's on the inside that counts.” And she shamed me for calling this woman ugly (even though she truly was unattractive). I never forgot what she told me that day. Unfortunately my Aunt grew up and forgot to take her own advice and married a felon. Oh well. We all make mistakes. If she hadn't married the felon, well her life would've been different is all I can say. That same felon later tried to drag me out of my Dad's house and fortunately my Mom caught me by the arm before he could and probably saved me from physical harm. He did bust the window out of our front door though. Dad started carrying a revolver in his pocket after that incident. Dad said, “if he ever threatens anyone in my family again, he's going to get shot.” Ah, that encounter never happened, so no one got shot. If it had I have no doubt it wouldn't have ended well for anyone. Life would've been different if my Dad had gone to jail. For him and for the rest of us. I don't want to talk about what is ugly in this world and what is not. Who qualifies as fat and who doesn't. It's not up to me to judge. I'm allowed to have an opinion though. Our culture wants to tell us that there's no such thing as ugly or pretty, or fat or thin. Or even right or wrong. Everything is relative today. So you're not supposed to have an opinion on anything, unless it agrees with their agenda. There's no difference between people, except when one person is given an advantage over another person because of gender and race. Then it's ok don't you know because unfairness has to be the rule by which we address past grievances. So more unfairness makes everything right. If there ever was such unfairness. Isn't the world we live in sick? Such a simple thing. Learning to tie my shoe. If you can't tie your own shoe, let me show you how, and if you're too dumb or lazy to do it yourself, then don't expect me to do it or pay for your slip on shoes. God is this world a mess. Why can't everything be simple? Why isn't life fair? I'm waiting for it get better. Blow that trumpet Gabriel. Sound your horn. Let the skies split open and let the stars fall from the heavens.