Stop, Think, and Listen!
For I do matter!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The life of being a deaf mute:
The pain of being labeled
as "different",
"Through the eyes of ignorance".
For I could feel, think,
love and cry.
I could see the ignorance
of many who never took the
time out, to try and understand.
They were the handicapped ones.
For they could not feel,
as they were blind to the
word of compassion.
They lacked the knowledge
of acceptance as well.
Oh how quick they were
to pass judgment on me.
"For I was different",
In their small minds,
and through their eyes
of ignorance...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is based a true story.
The life of hell that
my father had endured.
All because of a freakish
accident, that would cause
him to lose his hearing.
This unfortunate tragedy
could of happened to anyone.
To you, your child, or any
family member.
This tragedy fell upon my
father at the tender age of four.
Daddy was born in Arkansas,
on September of 1917.
His parents lived on a small farm,
They were the definition of dirt poor.
Grandfather worked in the
cotton fields,
in order to support his family.
That was their only source
of income.
Each day was such a struggle.
One day grandmother was
cleaning daddy's ears with
a large hairpin.
She accidentally punctured his
ear drums.
A horrible infection set in.
Daddy suffered with such
excruciating pain.
Since there was no money,
daddy was denied medical
attention.
This would be the turning
point in daddy's life.
For no longer was he treated
like a normal little child.
Daddy became subjected to
such ridicule and cruelty,
by the young and old.
He was looked upon as being
"mentally retarded".
Someone with no feelings.
Through the eyes of ignorance....
The teasing was so hurtful
and cruel at times,
Daddy would just run in
the fields and cry.
His feelings did not matter,
For he was considered to be "different".
Daddy could never express
his deepest feelings.
Yet if anyone would of cared
enough, to take the time out,
and look into his eyes.
They would of noticed his pain.
"But he did not matter"...
As time would pass,
My grandparents would have
five more children.
Grandfather became very
mean and abusive.
He would horse whip grandmother,
leaving bloody welt marks
all over her fragile body.
No longer could grandmother
take this painful abuse.
One day while grandfather
was working in the cotton field.
Grandmother hardly with any money,
escaped from this torturous
life of hell.
She had no choice, but to
leave the children behind.
For many years her whereabouts
were unknown.
Since daddy was the eldest,
the responsibility fell upon him.
The cooking, cleaning and care
of his brothers and sisters.
Life was so difficult for him.
Yet he did not matter,
for he was "different".
Daddy was so envious of
his siblings, for they
were able to go to school.
While he had to stay behind
to work in the cotton field.
Daddy was robbed of his
childhood and an education.
But, he not matter,
"Through the eyes of ignorance"
Grandfather told daddy that
"If you work real hard in
the cotton fields"
"I will buy you a new bike
at the end of the season".
Finally feeling excited
about something in life,
Daddy worked harder than ever.
until his thumbs would bleed.
But, nothing would stop him,
for he wanted that bike more
than anything in this world.
Finally the season came to
an end.
Daddy was so excited, for it
was now time for his new bike.
Grandfather never mentioned
a word about the bike.
So daddy asked him when was
he going to get it?
Grandfather just laughed and
said, "no bike for you".
Daddy felt so betrayed,
for he had been lied to.
If you cannot trust your
own father, just who could
you trust?
Daddy cried, while grandfather
and his siblings kept laughing.
Daddy's feelings did not matter,
for he was "different"
Through the eyes of the ignorance.
Daddy buried his pain so
deep down inside of his heart.
Knowing that he would never
be able to trust again.
His heart was so broken,
Yet no one even cared.
No one ever heard his cries.
No one looked into his eyes
and noticed all of his pain.
No one ever took the time
to give him hug and say,
"Hey I care".
Just because daddy was
deaf and mute, he was looked
upon as "different".
Only thing that I can say
Is I thank God that he was different...
"For daddy had love and
compassion for everyone".
The next time you come across
someone whom you may think
of as "different".
Stop for a moment!
look into their eyes,
and listen to their heart.
For you will see someone
who is very special...
Perhaps you just may learn
something from them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Imagine A World Of Peace,
Love and Compassion".
I am also thankful that
society has become more
aware and educated today...
I am currently writing a book
based on dad's life story.
I am quite sure that it
will bring tears to your eyes.
Warning! Keep a large supply
of tissue at your side.
Thank you for taking the time
to read and comment on this write.
I am happy to announce
"Through The Eyes Of Ignorance"
Is being published...
Hopefully it will be
available within the next
couple of weeks...
Now available
"Inspire Heart & Soul"
A collection of inspirational
poetry...
"Dedicated to my dearly
beloved son Frankie's memory"
I thank everyone for the
love and support you have
shown me....
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Reviewed by Silver Shadow
9/4/2003
Oh baby doll, his life was so hard and so tratic. You know pain and suffering and so did he and so do I loving you the way I do.
Baby I am si sorry for being wrong. Please forgive me. I know you still love me. Bill Murray
Reviewed by Dove
7/12/2003
Dearest Trixie,
this is such touching a story!!!!!! {{{{{{{{{{ Tears }}}}}}} of great courage of not only your father but a whole generation affected..He sounded like a great man of wisdom and bravery.. Upon the teachings of Helen Keller she sais that many true spiritual wisdoms can only be seen and felt through the heart...As a daughter you were of a deaf mute I am sure it made you more attuned to the heart spirit, for these were the first people in your life that did not hear words but spoke only of the vibrations of heart ...I came from a background of predjudice from others because my dad was bipolar and I inherited it..People can be so cruel...It is with our diffrences that I call them "colors of rainbows " that God gave us..This is called grace...He sheds tears at how his children ridicules each childs "rainbow" diffrences..As the late mother Teresa sais, quote: if you judge others, you have no time to love them...
Love And Huggs,
Jo
Reviewed by Ian ryan
7/10/2003
Trixie -
You write the most incredible stories.
Everything's been said, so I will just stand for an ovation
Ian
Reviewed by na na
4/28/2003
Oh my precious Angel, what a very sad story! I feel tears swellling in my eyes. Your Father suffered terribly living in an atmosphere of insensitive, uncaring people.
I can feel the hurt and misery your words convey to me. Your Father must have loved you very much for being there for him in his latter days. You are kind and generous. You have written this so well. Yes, it is a very good subject for a book, and this is a great start. I will always love you baby. Your Bill xoxoxox
Oh, Trixie...sorry to read this so late. It's enormously powerful and I applaud you for writing the book.
much love and hugs
Gina
Reviewed by priscilla plummer
3/19/2003
i balled my eyes out!!
Reviewed by Tony Nerone
3/15/2003
Dear Trixie, Oh wow, what cruelty. And I thought I had it bad. Your story recaptured the pain your Dad went through. I am sorry he went through such a painful childhood. But God did look down on him with the birth of you.
If all of us could look through the tragedies in life as a simple process of growing, we might be not so quick to judge another man's plight. Suffering should never be looked upon as "lots" in life because we never know what will befall us in the future. I applaud your father for his will to succeed and stand in awe of the many obstacles he must have endured. Please write your stories. They will be a treasure to cherish a lifetime and hopefully awaken those who woefully place distaining ignorance for lack of compassion. Kudos to your father for a job well done and roses to you for loving him.
JOyce Rapier
authorsden.com/joycelrapier
Reviewed by Cathy Montgomery
6/22/2002
Oh, Trixie! What tragedy!! I am looking forward to your book about your father. Even in all this heartbreak, he still triumphed!!
Trixie, this is such an amazing story of ignorance. I am appalled at the behavior of some people.
I applaud you for this write and your compassion
I read in your bio that your greatest acheivement was being your father's caregiver. There are not many children that would take on such a repsonsibility. they'd rather put their parents in a home and forget about them.
You are a loving, kind and gentle but strong woman, and deserve life's best.
Stand up and be proud of what you have given to others, and for having God in your life and by your side.
Trixie, I was really moved by your write. Your father was without a doubt a child of God. He is in good hands now and no longer is he different, but is special! God bless you and thank you. Samdavid1
Reviewed by
3/30/2002
Yes, some people can be very ignorant. I didnt know much of this growing up, but was actually one of them in a blind faith of fitting in with them. Later, when older, I married a woman with cerebral palsy. The looks given to us disturbed me, angered me and give me a sense of shame in the human race as well as myself for being a part or it. My wife is a very intelligent woman, but people always assume that because of her handicap she must be retarded. She is use to it, yet I still struggle with it.
I feel for your father, how much harder it must have been for him, in a time when people were shunned for the littlest difference. Though it is much better today, I know from personal experience prejudice is still out there. When will people learn? We can only hope.
Your poem is intriguing and thought provoking, if it can change one persons point of view, it could be the best poem of all time.
Trixie, without a doubt this will be a successful
book.
It is very powerful!
Agreed, a box of tissue
is needed!
You must let us know when
the book is published!
Definitely i would purchase
this one!
Excellent job
Reviewed by Sharon Williamson
2/23/2002
I needed the warning for tissues earlier in the piece.This is a touching story. I will look forward to the book. bless you for writing it.
I am sure your Daddy knew you loved him very much.
Great write.
Sharon
Betrayal, hurt, confusion,trust, different!
Yes, we have learned many lesson in a life time, and some of us are still going thru it still...Very good words of wisdowm...!
And yes you should write a book!
This is excellent! You could probably expand this into a book, with some more detail and a few more anecdotes that highlight your Dad's suffering. That's why I rated this a nine, the writing is a ten, but there's so much more potential here...I'm betting you will expand this into an important book that everyone should read. // Fine writing.
Very moving, what you have set down here is truth. People don't like the truth very much but that does not alter the facts. I applaud your bravery for sharing this honesty that is so seldom seen.
The experience of a young adult trying to figure out what they want to do for employment or education can be overwhelming. My book will give them insight to what it means to be a carpenter. And the progress unions have made in discrimination.
Get
The experience of a young adult trying to figure out what they want to do for employment or education can be overwhelming. My book will give them insight to what it means to be a carpenter. And the progress unions have made in discrimination.
Get
Sexuality is very misunderstood.What if the tornado dropped Dorothy not into Oz, but onto the shooting set of an X-rated film?
Eric Edwards makes sex films. Period... Sex-on-command. Sex-for-hire.... So begins the story of Eric Edwards, Mr.
