Persecution

     To be honest, I honestly thought I knew more about the Christian religion than I came to realize while reading the chapter on Christian faith in Kramer's The Sacred Art of Dying. I knew about Jesus, of course, and could name a few facts off hand, but I always figured that the belief was that, ultimately, when a Christian died, they were immediately judged and then allocated to either Heaven or Hell. It turns out, this is not the case at all. In the Christian belief, when you die you are judged, and your body parts ways with your soul. As your body "sleeps" and turns to dust, the soul can go in one of two directions, Paradise or Hades. After some time, the body and soul reconvene for a final judgment. This time, the person is either sentenced to exist in Hell, or awarded a blessed life in Heaven

     I am not a religious person by any means, and to be honest religion really turns me off. I do not mean that people with faith bother me at all, in fact I think it can be a great thing for that individual; it is simply not something that I personally wish to involve myself with. I won't judge a person with strong religious beliefs, but I would expect to be treated with the same respect. I had a few extremely religious friends when I lived in Florida, and they would try to convince me of their ways. I did not want to hear it. I create my own life, and I do not need someone telling me how to live it. However, I do believe that religion can have a powerfully positive affect on certain people's lives, as well as giving good morals to those who need a guiding hand. At the same time, I see far too much corruption in a system meant to be for the betterment of those involved, and I do not wish to be associated with something like that. People regularly get offended by me for my feelings toward this subject, but as far as I'm concerned, if I am not judging you, why would you place judgment on me?

Ring-a-ring o' neutrons

A pocket full of positrons,

A fission ! A fission !

We all fall down.

-Paul Dehn (Enright, 239)

     This short poem is obviously a take on the well known "Ring Around the Rosie" nursery rhyme. Both poems have deathly connotations, yet they share a rather upbeat sound. It is ironic that the feel of each poem leaves the reader with a happy illusion, considering each verse's fatal outcomes. It gives a nonchalant impression of a considerably serious subject. I would hate for someone to look upon death as a trivial matter. To me, death is the end all to be all; death is final. Nothing else will ever be so ultimate as death. This deeply frightens me. I want so badly to figure a way out, to solve the pointless puzzle of how to live forever. I hold this futile hope that I will somehow put the pieces of the riddle together and save myself from certain doom. It is a selfish wish, but I just cannot imagine myself parting ways with this world, and all of the people in it, for all of time.

     I think about death every day. It watches over me like a cat stalking its pray, silently waiting for me to slip up, lose my footing. Death is merciless that way; it does not judge someone on their high or low moral standards, it merely takes the easiest prey possible. I panic in the  middle of the night. Maybe I will never wake up, maybe my time has come. Perhaps I am the next victim of a murder to be played out on the nightly news; just some girl most people did not know or even cared to know about, struck down before she had a chance to make something of herself. At least this is how I have always viewed death. If this class has taught me anything, it has made me realize that life is more important than death. If you allow death to overshadow life, then you have in turn allowed yourself to die, at least spiritually speaking. I have decided it is finally time to let myself go, to free myself of all my trivial worries and to live life to its fullest capacity. That way, when death finally comes knocking, I can let him in with open arms, and be thankful that I lived a happy and fulfilling life while I could.

Is this a Kingdom? Then give Death the crown,

For here no emperor hath won, save He.

-Herbert Asquith "Nightfall" (Enright, 235)

"Death Watching Over"

(Portwallpaper.com)

Works Cited

Enright, D.J. The Oxford Book of Death. Oxford [Oxfordshire: Oxford UP, 1983. Print.

Kramer, Kenneth Paul. The Sacred Art of Dying.: How World Religions Understand Death. NewYork,  NY [u.a.: Paulist Pr., 1988. Print.

Animal Angels

Animal Angels

"Rainbow Bridge"

(Artichokepress.com)

    

     Most pets, with their relatively short life spans, spend only a small percentage of our life with us, but during that short time, they can honestly touch our hearts in a way that no other creature could; some more than others.

     In my 21 years I have encountered many animals that I have considered part of my family. I have been lucky enough to have not lost any close human relatives, but I have experienced the death of many of my pets. I will never forget these beautiful souls that have come in and out of my life far too quickly.

     Teddy & Max were the first dogs I ever had, and the first I ever lost. Together since adolescence, the two truly loved each other's company, and were inseparable.

     In 1996, Teddy was diagnosed with cancer and had to be put down. It was a hard time for everyone but especially for Max, who was never the same after she passed away. One day, my mom left home to run a few errands and, regrettably, she left Max outside on his run. She came home to find Max dead on the outskirts of the woods; he had gotten caught in a bush and his run, and suffocated to death. 

     Although it was most likely an accident, we could not help but think that perhaps Max found life without Teddy, his mate, unbearable and had chosen to join her on the other side. It sounds crazy, but the next year behind their old enclosure we discovered two dogwood trees growing side by side. I like to think that it’s Teddy & Max, together again. Below is a photograph that perfectly captures how I felt when viewing those two trees.

"Trees Embracing"

(Flickr.com)

     Tabitha was Tigger’s mother; I had them both since I was born. Tigger was the most easy-going, relaxed cat you would ever meet, while Tabitha was more aggressive and territorial.

     At age 14, Tigger was struck by a car while he did his routine visit to the house across the street. I watched him die in a cardboard box. I’ll never forget the look in his eyes; I couldn’t believe such an amazing creature had to die in such a horrible way. Tigger was buried in my backyard.

     Tabitha died three years later, at age 20. She suffered a slow decline, and one day when she decided it was time to go, she went to a quiet place to die alone. We never found her.

Black Cat

(Yourdailycute.com)

MY OLD CAT

My old cat is dead

Who would butt me with his head.

He had the sleekest  fur,

He had the blackest purr.

Always gentle with us

Was this black puss,

But when I found him today

Stiff and cold where he lay,

His look was a lion’s.

Full of rage, defiance :

O ! He would not pretend

That what came was a friend

But met it in pure hate.

Well died, my old cat

~Hal Summers "My Old Cat" (Enright, 300)

     Kimba will forever hold a special place in my heart as my favorite pet. He was a gorgeous purebred Samoyed that loved nothing more than to have fun. We got Kimba in March 2004 and he quickly became part of the family.

     Sadly, we only got to share less than two years with Kimba. My mom and I were moving to Florida and she didn’t want to bring a dog meant for snow to such a balmy climate. The day we had to give him away was one of the worst of my life, and the solemn expression on Kimba’s face told me he knew something bad was happening. Samoyed’s are known for their “sammy smiles”, but that day his was nowhere in sight.

     It has been 6 years since we gave him up, and I know that the once lively puppy I knew has grown into old age. In a way I’m happy that I will never see his health decline. In my memory, he will forever live on as the young, vibrant dog that he was.

Above: Kimba

All taken by Erica Albert

     Many cultures of the past and present worship and revere animals. Animals have been on Earth longer than humans, so this should come as no surprise.

     Egypt is an ancient civilization that quite literally put animals on a pedestal. Countless statues and engravings have been found scattered around the ruins of their society. Egyptians worshipped gods who resembled animals. Anubis, Horus, and the famous Sphinx are just a few of the animal figures. Anubis has the head of a jackal, while a falcon’s likeness replaces the human head on Horus. The large Sphinx sculpture possesses the body of a lion with a human’s head.

     Wealthy Egyptians even memorialized their pets in the same style that they might themselves. Those with enough money to spare actually mummified their cats, entombing the animal beside them in their family’s chamber.

Above Left: Mummified Cat

Above Right: Horus

Above Center: Anubis

     Native Americans are taught from a young age that nature and animals are sacred. By their late thirties and early fourties,they learn that  four-legged animals, birds, and bugs are to be treated equally. Sioux Indiansexpressed gratefulness for the abundance of game and resources on a daily basis. They respected "Mother Earth" as a vehicle through which "wakan tanka" flowed. In the Native American culture, "Mother Earth" is depicted as a woman named Gaia.

Gaia

(Sodahead.com)

     People who own pets live happier, healthier lives! Having a pet keeps the owner active, which decreases their risk for obesity. Also, survival rates are 28% higher for heart attack victims. This could be for a variety of reasons. For one, the pets probably keep their owners alert and conscious as they wait for assistance to arrive. Pets reduce stress, simply petting them or cuddling with them can decrease blood pressure.

     Animals are pure and innocent creatures. In the world that we currently reside in, it is a blessing to have a loving pet in your life. Regardless of how your day has been, when you come home they welcome you with a wagging tale and a happy heart. Someday I hope to meet mine again, maybe when my time in this world has come to an end.

Works Cited

Enright, D.J. The Oxford Book of Death. Oxford [Oxfordshire: Oxford UP, 1983. Print.

Kramer, Kenneth Paul. The Sacred Art of Dying.: How World Religions Understand Death. NewYork,  NY [u.a.: Paulist Pr., 1988. Print.

Porras, Jerry L. Stewart, Emery and Mark Thompson. Success Built to Last: Creating a LifeThat            Matters. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Wharton School Pub., 2007. Print.

Kepler 22-B

Kepler 22B

(Scienceray.com)

I could go on and on about the subject of Kepler 22B, but I'll save the hassle and just leave a link for you to do some exploring of your own. :)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/nasa-finds-new-planet-kepler-22b-outside-solar-system-with-temperature-right-for-life/2011/12/07/gIQAPfzFdO_story.html

"The sense of death is most in apprehension,

And the poor beetle that we tread upon

In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great

As when a giant dies."

-Shakespeare

(Enright, 296)

 

     Every living thing on Earth experiences death, yet some people only think about the death of humans as having any sort of significance. It is my own personal belief that no one species on our planet is more important than another. Think of all the ants you have unknowingly walked on as you ignorantly go about your daily life. Most people would call me crazy for caring, but I cannot help but take every life into account. Thankfully, I was born a human so I do not have to worry about being crushed by a pair of sneakers, but it could easily have been the other way around. Who's to say that you could not have been born as another creature? In my opinion, humans simply have the brain capacity to be incredibly self-aware, and so perceive themselves as the most important species. Of course, we are the most important beings on this planet as far as we are concerned because of self-preservation, but it is important to take a step back on occasion to think about the "insignificant" creatures of the Earth.

Chief Crazy Horse

(Credit: Straighthand Graphics)

"Hoka hey! Follow me

Today is a good day to fight

Today is a good day to die."

-Chief Crazy Horse

(Kramer, 169)

     The Oglala Sioux warrior is fearless in the face of death. Each morning when they woke they'd recite "Ho Ka Hey", which translates to "it's a good day to die. They were entirely willing to surrender themselves to death, it was an honor for them to have served their tribe in such a selfless manner.

     Similar to the Chinese, American Indians practiced a way of life which nature was sacred and life was lived through rituals. When a tribe member reached their late thirties and early forties, if they treated all of nature as sacred, they too became sacred. This included four-legged animals, trees, bugs, winged-creatures, as well as rocks. I found it wonderful that the Sioux Indians were eternally grateful to Wanka Tanka (the Great Spirit) for the chance to be alive, and for the earth's gift of sustenance.

"The animals that look at us like children

in innocence, in perfect innocence !

The innocence that looks at us ! Like children

The animals, the simple animals,

have no idea why legs no longer work."

-Gavin Ewart

(Enright, 296)

     Ewart's poem describing the pure naivety of animals really resonated with me. I will never forget those loving pets of my past that have long since passed away. They truly are innocent, and it is a shame that their lives must end so early. The short time that each spent on Earth left a great impact on my life, and they fed my soul with their complete love and never ending fervor for life. Every dog I have been lucky enough to own was always happy up until their final day. It is amazing how certain animals seem to stay eternally joyful. Perhaps ignorance truly is bliss.

Works Cited

Enright, D.J. The Oxford Book of Death. Oxford [Oxfordshire: Oxford UP, 1983. Print.

Kramer, Kenneth Paul. The Sacred Art of Dying.: How World Religions Understand Death. NewYork, NY [u.a.: Paulist Pr., 1988. Print.

Porras, Jerry L. Stewart, Emery and Mark Thompson. Success Built to Last: Creating a LifeThat            Matters. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Wharton School Pub., 2007. Print.