The Humbled
Posted: Wednesday, December 10, 2008
by Michael Ramzy
delusionthread.com
John lives in a very small house on a side street in a mid-size American city. He lives a very unassuming life, by himself, and spends most of his time working on his little garden and his house. He has a vehicle made in America, although to be fair it wasn't so much a buy-American thing as it was simply what he wanted. The fact the vehicle is American is irrelevant to him. John goes to the movies every so often, takes himself out to dinner twice a week, goes to church, and pretty much keeps to himself. Single, in his mid-forties, he still keeps in touch with some friends from the old days, but not so much anymore. Instead, he works, reads, works on his garden, and enjoys life to the fullest.
One day last week, a man and woman stopped in front of John's house. John was working on his garden when the man called out to him.
"Hi," John said, removing his gloves. He shook the man's hand, then the woman's. "How do you do?"
"This is your house?" the woman asked, nodding to the house.
"Yes."
"Are you a Republican?" the man asked, relying on the myth liberals probably do not have flags flying in front of their houses. This same myth says liberals do not celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Strange the man would ask that as a greeting, John thought.
"No," John replied. He noticed both his visitors seemed to be looking at the flag.
"Then why do you fly this thing?" the woman asked, referring to the flag. "And why do you have that thing?" the man asked, nodding to the wreath.
"Because I'm an American."
"You can't be serious," the man said then. "You are proud to be an American with a lying criminal in the white house, a war that's killing thousands of Iraqis a month, and an economy in trouble? And you are celebrating an old ritual commercialized by greedy corporations?"
"I was born here," John said, looking at the two. "I was raised here, and I will die here." He smiled a small smile. "I am an American," he repeated.
"And the wreath?" the man asked.
"All men are brothers," John replied. "Merry Christmas," he added, smiling a small smile.
"You wish us a Merry Christmas in spite of what we just said?""No," John said softly. "Because of what you just said."
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Michael I noticed not too many responses yet let me try to express this if it can be? Someone elected the man in the White House and someone elected the man to soon be there. Now the fact that you love your country has nothing to do with what these men do or don't and what this nation is experiencing. It actually says more about we who put them there to do what they do or didn't then why or how we love our nation. No you are a symbol of real America, its diversity and your statements in sign and words are all about the nation you and many of us love. We love americda and can remain proud in her even while those we put our faith and trust in commit sin, or crime ot greed. So if we are not happy with that eladership then don't complain, change them. It si evident by this last elcetion many are happy. Best. Wishes
You are mostly correct. Love of country and faith have little to do with the current (or future) occupant of the White House. This short was written in response to the incredible divisiveness of this country in the past few years. It seems if you have a flag, you are a gun-totin neocon. If you don't have a flag (or, in the case of the past election, if you refuse to wear a simple lapel pin) you are considered unpatriotic. If you question anything the government does, you are considered unpatriotic.It's sad this is what we have become (or allowed ourselves to become), and this story tries to show a simple man who loves God and his country without pretense or politicizing anything, and how this man gets the 'what is your motive?' treatment. There are still some who do things simply because they believe. Faith is not exclusive to religion, as we know. Funny how often many forget that.Thanks for your comment, and keep reading and writing.Michael
Michael, I liked John's answers at the end. They were Christ-like which means they were filled with love, humility and nonjudgmental. Excellent writing, thank you. Welcome to SearchWarp. A Merry Christmas to you and Shari.
Thanks very much. I appreciate your thoughts. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.
hi michael,this was a well written, interesting and intriguing story.i don't like how dreads look on young kids, but my son has them, nor do i like piercings and tattoos, but my kids have had or have them. but i still love love my kids with total mind, heart, and soul. it's called "letting others be who they want to be, as long as they aren't hurting themselves or others." my prayers wish all God's children could be non judgmental and proud to be alive.thanks for the great article,welcome to searchwarp, and i hope you continue writing,best regards,sue thomThanks very much for reading. Have a Merry Christmas.
Enjoyed reading your article MikeThanks very much. Merry Christmas.
Simple spiritual wisdom, very effective.
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