Please read my healing message, brought to you in a song.

Please read my healing message, brought to you in a song.
Please read my healing message, and lets keep this all from going wrong.

Please Try and Understand Me
by RetiredNSmilin'

I like someof the same foods you like,
And can popa top like the rest.
I cheer andcuss at a football game,
and them gohome for a much needed rest.
I love myfamily, wife, pets, kids and all,
And when theanthem is played, I get up and stand tall.
I only haveone request of you,
A request I hopeyou will heed.
I ask thatyou just try and see,
There isonly a few differences in you and me.

Just try andunderstand me, and know where I am coming from.
Just try andunderstand me, and just maybe we can get along.

All I knowabout New York City life is what I see on TV.
Thosesitcoms are all pretty cute, but they are all I get to see.
I will neverunderstand what you have to go through there,
All I ask isyou show me the same courtesy.

This countryis a big one, from sea to shining sea.
But we areall in it together be it California, Maine or Tennessee.
Each part hasits own lifestyles, geography and high school bands.
But we allneed to live here together, and understand each other as best we can.

Just try andunderstand me, and know where I am coming from.
Just try andunderstand me, and maybe we can get along.

I like mybarbeque, guns and really fast cars.
You mightlike your lattes, soccer and sushi bars.
But can allagree, Lynyrd Synyrd, the Stones, and LedZepplin,
Made some ofthe best sounds heard by far.

My take homepay is precious, it keeps a roof over my head.
It puts gasin my truck, us out of hock, and my family fed.
Take whatyou need to keep the roads paved, the electricity running, and my mailboxfilled with what is addressed to me.
But don’tsay it is OK, to give it away, to those who hate working, and want to live outlife for free.

Just try andunderstand me, and know where I am coming from.
Just try andunderstand me, and maybe we can get along.
We are allin this together, each one and all.
We are allin this together, and if not, we shall surely fall.

A LITTLE DITTY IN HONOR OF OUR PRESIDENT-ELECT

His brilliance blinds us as he reminds us of all the Great Things that he's done! His name rhymes with Ronald. We call him The Donald... the World's Greatest if there ever was one!
He doesn't have a hair weave... just ask him. Tremendous, stupendous ... he built his Trump Towers on a whim. So Love this man 'cuz he has Big Plans to Make America Great Again!

Preface - I went through a bitter custody battle over my youngest daughter. This meant multiple appearances over several years in several courtrooms before a very conservative Circuit Court Judge and a lower ranking Child Support Hearing Officer. All of this became increasingly more expensive. Sometimes I brought in a lawyer. Sometimes I just brought in a Court Reporter to transcribe. I went out of my way to claim paternity, filing with the State Health Department something known as a Putative Father Registry. I didn't mind paying child support provided I had a reasonable prospect of maintaining a meaningful father-daughter relationship. The State wanted to saddle me with a long term child support obligation without any balancing parental legal rights. I did not need to study legalese to feel violated... so I fought rigorously. Those who know me in battle know my mantra - I am a step-off muther fuhkher.

I appeared before the Child Support Hearing Officer without an attorney. Several of my Pro Se motions... particularly the one where I cited a Civil Procedure time limit rule annoyed the DOR (State) attorney. As a non-attorney, I did not have access to something known as the Judicial Automated Calendaring System (JACS). I had to timely file the right forms via the clerk of court staff. That staff forwarded my hearing date requests to the separate Court Administration system. Eventually, the clerk staff mailed me hearing dates. Very few Respondents attempt to do what I did. The backlog of cases requires the judicial officers, their staff and vested attorneys to work quickly. I cross examined, cited statutes and brought income documentation... none of which makes for fast, easy decision making. Nonetheless, the Hearing Officer ruled against me. Lucky for me, the Court Administrator fired the Hearing Officer (a 15 year terminate-at-will employee) that same year... for posting a youtube on the internet of his amateur comedian performance. I used an attorney with the replacement Hearing Officer and worked out a favorable settlement. I wrote and sent a poem... called Loser's Lament ... to the fired Hearing Officer.

Obvious to me... oblivious to you... the lack of fairness in what you do. You won this one bro'.. not fair and square... ruling from your elevated Chair.
Yeah... your Superiors backed you up. I felt dominated like a naive pup. You steamrolled an unrepresented litigant. You did your work without repent.
Predictable results ... no surprise there! Maybe you looked and thought "Another liberal hippie who wears his longhair."
It ain't over though... believe me you. Ain't no big thing... I promise to follow through!

During a nasty custody battle, I sent my daughter a poem titled "Ode to a Four Year Old"

Thinking of you more than you know. Live, Love, Learn... stay on the go! I have faith in powers that bind you to me. As to our future, with time we get to see. Meanwhile in my mind, I hear a big clock. It makes a constant sound, something like tick-tock. With each passing minute and each passing day, we grow older and older no matter what we say. I remember when you came out of a womb... a well-cared for C-section baby in a hospital room. Manatee Memorial on a Friday midday. Eight pounds eleven ounces. born May 20th... Hurray! Your momma, your daddy, his parents and a few friends.... all there to greet you ... how the story goes from here depends.... on who is talking to who and their point of view. You passed one. You passed two. You passed three. Now you turned four! I'd love to surprise you... maybe take you to a store. We'd buy this thing and that thing... make it a "Mission of Fun". We'd say "Hello" "Ching-ching" "Goodbye" ... then call our day done. But I can't do that... someday you might understand.. about Child Support Court, judges, rules, laws, the people in charge why I can't play with you anymore or even hold your hand. So Happy Birthday Happy Birthday on Summer Destiny Day! I Love You... I Love You... no matter who gets in the way!

RetiredNSmilin said:

Please read my healing message, brought to you in a song.
Please read my healing message, and lets keep this all from going wrong.

Please Try and Understand Me
by RetiredNSmilin'

I like someof the same foods you like,[There isonly a few differences in you and me.[/FONT]

Just try andunderstand me, and know where I am coming from.
Just try andunderstand me, and just maybe we can get along.

All I knowabout New York City life is what I see on TV.
Thosesitcoms are all pretty cute, but they are all I get to see.
I will neverunderstand what you have to go through there,
All I ask isyou show me the same courtesy.

This countryis a big one, from sea to shining sea.
But we areall in it together be it California, Maine or Tennessee.
Each part hasits own lifestyles, geography and high school bands.
But we allneed to live here together, and understand each other as best we can.

Just try andunderstand me, and know where I am coming from.
Just try andunderstand me, and maybe we can get along.

I like mybarbeque, guns and really fast cars.
You mightlike your lattes, soccer and sushi bars.
But can allagree, Lynyrd Synyrd, the Stones, and LedZepplin,
Made some ofthe best sounds heard by far.

My take homepay is precious, it keeps a roof over my head.
It puts gasin my truck, us out of hock, and my family fed.
Take whatyou need to keep the roads paved, the electricity running, and my mailboxfilled with what is addressed to me.
But don’tsay it is OK, to give it away, to those who hate working, and want to live outlife for free.

Just try andunderstand me, and know where I am coming from.
Just try andunderstand me, and maybe we can get along.
We are allin this together, each one and all.

Click to expand...

Trippy Trekker said:

During a nasty custody battle, I sent my daughter a poem titled "Ode to a Four Year Old"

Thinking of you more than you know. Live, Love, Learn... stay on the go! I have faith in powers that bind you to me. As to our future, with time we get to see. Meanwhile in my mind, I hear a big clock. It makes a constant sound, something like tick-tock. With each passing minute and each passing day, we grow older and older no matter what we say. I remember when you came out of a womb... a well-cared for C-section baby in a hospital room. Manatee Memorial on a Friday midday. Eight pounds eleven ounces. born May 20th... Hurray! Your momma, your daddy, his parents and a few friends.... all there to greet you ... how the story goes from here depends.... on who is talking to who and their point of view. You passed one. You passed two. You passed three. Now you turned four! I'd love to surprise you... maybe take you to a store. We'd buy this thing and that thing... make it a "Mission of Fun". We'd say "Hello" "Ching-ching" "Goodbye" ... then call our day done. But I can't do that... someday you might understand.. about Child Support Court, judges, rules, laws, the people in charge why I can't play with you anymore or even hold your hand. So Happy Birthday Happy Birthday on Summer Destiny Day! I Love You... I Love You... no matter who gets in the way!

Click to expand...

These are both such meaningful posts. Thank you for reminding all of us that there are hearts behind the computer screens that take great joy in connecting with others. We are such a diverse group of people who, if we are critical enuf thinkers to tell the difference, can help us with most anything in our lives.... have sometimes been through the same stuff... and have an open mind to share their belief systems with the rest of us (aside from, perhaps, politics.)

To Retired and Trippy ... Merry Christmas, friends. Be thankful. Be happy. Stay strong.

(Had to chop up Retired quote because there were too many characters in my post otherwise.)

My, my. Aren't we all poetic today? I feel so inspired......

Hindsite's 20/20
Or, at least, I'm told.
I can tell a young man, about being young.
More than he can tell me about being old.

When I was in my 20's and stuck out on my own
I had a wife. I had a child. The makings of a home.
And when I started out, I never wanted to end
But my plans were cut way short (thanks to my best friend.)

Yes, my best friend was close to me.
I considered him my brother.
But he took my wife,
Shattered my life.
The two deserve each other.

Now, I guess I am supposed to hate him.
But I really don't feel that way.
Looking back, he done me a favor.
He's stuck with the slut, his life's in a rut, and now she's his to honor and obey.

There's a lot more to the story
I'll leave it to you to figure the rest
Just goes to show,
That you never know.
And he who laughs last, laughs best.

Then Uncle Sam, he grabbed me.
And put me on a plane.
Away I flew, from all I knew
It kept me from going insane.

He cut my hair in boot camp.
And taught me to stand straight and tall.
He instilled in me a sense of worth,
The biggest gift of all.

So, I served my country proudly.
And I would do it all again.
My advice, to anyone lost,
Sign up, get straight, and do your best,
Let a new life begin.

And so, I left the Navy.
With a man-child on the way.
And followed by another one
Both blessings, to this day.

As much as I love my Uncle Sam
For saving my wretched life,
That doesn't hold a candle,
To the blessings from my wife.

Settled now in adulthood,
My passions have been tamed,
I got involved with my fellow-man,
A Master Mason I became.

I love to watch the Packers (Go Pack!)
I LOVE to shoot my guns,
I love to fish out on the flats,
And watch the setting sun.

All in all, I'm set in my ways,
But I am not the one,
Who insists that everyone lives like me,
I'm not the chosen one.

There is so much to be taken,
Yet, so much more to give.
But while I do my own thing,
I still say, "Live and let live."

I try to embrace diversity.
Be like you want to be.
But don't try to force it down MY throat,
You'd best not tread on me.

MaggieD said:

These are both such meaningful posts. Thank you for reminding all of us that there are hearts behind the computer screens that take great joy in connecting with others. We are such a diverse group of people who, if we are critical enuf thinkers to tell the difference, can help us with most anything in our lives.... have sometimes been through the same stuff... and have an open mind to share their belief systems with the rest of us (aside from, perhaps, politics.)

To Retired and Trippy ... Merry Christmas, friends. Be thankful. Be happy. Stay strong.

(Had to chop up Retired quote because there were too many characters in my post otherwise.)

Click to expand...

Thank you, Maggie. I seem to have started an outpouring from the heart here.
mine was generic politics, but these other beautiful works might get this thread moved to the Tavern.
That would be nice too.

RetiredNSmilin said:

Thank you, Maggie. I seem to have started an outpouring from the heart here.
mine was generic politics, but these other beautiful works might get this thread moved to the Tavern.
That would be nice too.

Click to expand...

Merry Christmas RetiredNSmilin. My best to you and your's. A cool thread you started.

Thank you for your service.

Captain America
FC1 USN

Trippy Trekker said:

During a nasty custody battle, I sent my daughter a poem titled "Ode to a Four Year Old"

Thinking of you more than you know. Live, Love, Learn... stay on the go! I have faith in powers that bind you to me. As to our future, with time we get to see. Meanwhile in my mind, I hear a big clock. It makes a constant sound, something like tick-tock. With each passing minute and each passing day, we grow older and older no matter what we say. I remember when you came out of a womb... a well-cared for C-section baby in a hospital room. Manatee Memorial on a Friday midday. Eight pounds eleven ounces. born May 20th... Hurray! Your momma, your daddy, his parents and a few friends.... all there to greet you ... how the story goes from here depends.... on who is talking to who and their point of view. You passed one. You passed two. You passed three. Now you turned four! I'd love to surprise you... maybe take you to a store. We'd buy this thing and that thing... make it a "Mission of Fun". We'd say "Hello" "Ching-ching" "Goodbye" ... then call our day done. But I can't do that... someday you might understand.. about Child Support Court, judges, rules, laws, the people in charge why I can't play with you anymore or even hold your hand. So Happy Birthday Happy Birthday on Summer Destiny Day! I Love You... I Love You... no matter who gets in the way!

Click to expand...

I have no doubt she will one day, Trippy. maybe sooner than you think.