tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30475874961982753822024-03-13T23:04:49.391-04:00from the legal padJake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-70490387255831800852018-03-30T18:40:00.000-04:002018-03-30T18:40:02.934-04:00holy weeki am part of the problem<br />
we are within the redemption<br />
great brokenness<br />
and<br />
infinite hope exist together<br />
love will winJake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-66818472249737669942018-03-12T16:56:00.000-04:002018-03-12T16:56:52.004-04:00shaddowour sun also casts a shadow<br />
the earth is neither fast nor slow<br />
orbit, revolve and remain seated<br />
on a bike through a path over hills<br />
we cannot complete a single loop<br />
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life is slow<br />
moments are dynamite<br />
family is loving chaos<br />
abject fear and existential peace can rise togetherJake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-39028650892243445672016-03-21T08:03:00.004-04:002018-10-24T13:10:23.510-04:00a tall taleone of my bucket list locations is kodiak island in alaska. since we were young boys playing in the creek outside of our house hunting snakes with sticks, catching fish with spit, and building forts in sideways trees. <br />
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kodiak and the surrounding islands is where the last, real america is.</div>
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my younger, larger, stronger brother was there for a summer with the united states coast guard. but i'm the one writing this, so obviously i'm more clever.</div>
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it's not an easy place to get to. and i don't mean that because we live on the east coast. once you get to the pacific northwest, it is still an adventure just to get to kodiak. an airline, a small plane, and a ferry ride. i'm there. 2.63 of my 10 day vacation spent on travel there and back.</div>
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the first few hours at the port, and brother has told me everything there is to know about kodiak. and the things i don't want to know.</div>
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good news: brother has to work in the afternoon of the next day, and i can borrow a dingy from his friend to put around the island. bad news: i stink at fishing.</div>
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that first night brother takes me to a dive where i am sure to say i had the best salmon on the planet- for $10. i saw a moose on the sidewalk on our way home. it was difficult to fall asleep when it's light outside at 1 am. i tossed and turned. i was so pumped.</div>
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coffee never tasted so dull than that next morning. brother took me to buy a fishing license and borrow some supplies from various people who all had massive beards.</div>
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i had a map, instructions as to where to go, a satellite phone, food, water, and all the supplies for fishing. i didn't need to pack any extra anxiety- i never leave home without it. brother's shift at the post could not come fast enough. after lunch i pushed out.</div>
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an hour later i found the most remote, beautiful bay in the unknown world. this was my place. the water was calm. the mountains broke the bite in the wind. the sun was crisp yet far away. i've never been so cold. my extra large coffee thermos might have well been an espresso shot.</div>
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i "fished" all day. exactly as i was told. unsurprisingly, 4 hours later, i caught nothing. i traded the rod for a book. but i read very little because the actual fishing had begun. i realized i was not alone, i was sharing this gem of a cove with an osprey who spent the afternoon showing off as to how real anglers do it. </div>
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i spent hours cheering his majesty as he swooped and dived and threw massive fish in the air. a few gulls strolled by, but the osprey kindly let them know where they were allowed to fish.<br />
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it's hard to believe your watch when the sun is in a new home in the sky. i was warmish finally. but i needed to head back to pick up brother.<br />
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i went back around the bend, and the harbor wasn't there. lost is real- the entire island disappeared. the map and the gps had to be miscalculating. brother would be off duty soon. i rounded a few more corners always coming back to where i had started. kodiak was no where. the osprey was gone.<br />
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brother had been off duty for nearly an hour when the satellite phone rang. he laughed. i cringed. he has always had "buddies" who could help. always. i was never able to talk to people like he could.<br />
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45 minutes later, here they came. brother had a big smile. somewhere between my driving, my not catching fish and the osprey- i had drifted. it was 9pm. the sun was still shining. brother never let me forget.</div>
Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-25315917945911292052016-03-21T07:38:00.000-04:002018-03-04T17:35:17.841-05:00eric mertens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6HBj2DrfVg_fSNnIMugVCydyBdpiBO_pfu48JJfYkPVObEV1xXKbrR6vdHG61OsWxrulF2ShRrroY7y65JfjpaFzDZqndO9hM2mUXKRrjNxJ8kp5UejVakl6IJxxDrwtlEcniv5QdVrN/s1600/eric+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6HBj2DrfVg_fSNnIMugVCydyBdpiBO_pfu48JJfYkPVObEV1xXKbrR6vdHG61OsWxrulF2ShRrroY7y65JfjpaFzDZqndO9hM2mUXKRrjNxJ8kp5UejVakl6IJxxDrwtlEcniv5QdVrN/s320/eric+food.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>Eric Mertens</b></div>
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Celebration of Life</div>
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Be cheerful no matter
what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God
wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”</div>
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I have never read that verse at a funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in most instances, I would say that
it is boarder line inappropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why would you tell people who are mourning to be “joyful always?”</div>
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Here’s why I think that it’s okay to break the rule
of thumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that Eric
Mertens, like all people was created in the image of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what the Bible tells us in the
very beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among other
things, I find our God to be rather clever and sometimes, down right ironic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like many who truly suffer, I
experienced Eric to be a joyful person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was as playful as a toddler, and at times, as awkward as a
puppy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, I believe is a
reflection of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our God
suffered on the cross, yet remained without hate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eric who indeed endured, reflects the joy of the
creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I am more of a Colbert, Conan or Fallon-fan, but
today I’ll harness my inner David Letterman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my top 10 things about Eric that displayed a sense
of joy, irony and fun:</div>
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10. Eric was a big guy 6’ 5” and 200 plus
pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know what they say
about big guys?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not Eric, he
had the smallest feet for a big guy that I’d ever seen!</div>
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9. Speaking of Eric’s feet, he always had shoes with swag. Even doing construction, he seamed to always have J’s on. Today I'm wearing my coolest shoes, you well know that Eric wouldn’t be wearing loafers…</div>
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8. Eric was a talker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You all know this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But let’s be honest, did you always know what he was talking about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend Rob and I were reminiscing
and he even said, “ya Eric would say random stuff man.” He spoke about his work "project" so fast and so much that I couldn't keep them straight. Eric had a white truck. He might have told you about it…</div>
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7. Eric liked to play with words, especially less
common words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Speaking of</span> our friend
Rob… Eric would say “Rob Raaaahhhhhhmlow.”</div>
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6. Eric and I would meet for breakfast at
McDonald’s on Forest Hill Ave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time we would meet early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or at least I would get there early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would sit in our corner booth and
wait for his white truck to come romping through the drive through… Sometimes the white truck was
actually grey.</div>
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5. Eric, had an appetite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw him put food down!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was very resourceful in the kitchen.
He could cook it up for lunch and dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But you know what they say about men with small feet… they don’t eat
breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the times we had
breakfast, he never finished his pancakes.</div>
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4. Our small group at the church would have game
nights, where we pretended to care about board games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or at our Christmas parties we would play dirty Santa as a
gift exchange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can never
remember Eric playing by the rules. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved it, but it drove those of you who are competitive
crazy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others would get excited
about the game, and here comes Eric just playing by his own rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course you can collect the $200
before you pass go. Of course you can spell it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course you can pick it back up in order to play a better
card. I want this gift and you can't steal it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Rules of the game don’t mean
anything.</div>
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3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eric, well how do you say… he had a voice that carried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At McDonald’s or at church, we would
have conversations that I thought were semi-sensitive or even down right
private.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am convinced that
the cashier and everyone else in the dinning room could hear every word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Eric lacked in shoe size, he made
up for in vocal capacity.</div>
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2. Eric laughed a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had several types of laughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course the loud laugh, the breathless laugh, the he-he
laugh, and my favorite was the laugh when no one else is laughing and so he
punches you in the arm so hard your sore for a week. How do you remember
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His laugh was the tune of his
heart- which was joy.</div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Eric took a ton of photos on his phone.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">He took photos of his work at the “job
site.”</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">He took videos of his dog.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">He took photos of random things.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">My favorites are his self-ies with
random personas, hats, french fries in his mouth and strange facial expressions.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">He also took photos of his truck, which now I’m thinking was
black- or maybe it was white again...</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">My wife is a photographer.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Over
the years, I’ve learned that I don’t know very much about the art form.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Eric was not a photographer.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">His photos were never framed well, or
in focus.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I didn’t know Eric when
he was young, but I like to think that he did not color inside the lines.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">As an adult with a camera phone, he
didn’t capture the world inside the lines. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">His perspective was both genius and hard.</span></div>
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This is that which simultaneously gives us great
joy and deep sadness as we celebrate Eric. In the Bible, the book of James encourages a group of
people who are experiencing life threatening persecution to “consider it pure
joy… in the face of many trials,” that these sufferings produce
perseverance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And by persevering
in Christ, we will be made perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This passage of scripture has always been really hard for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It never made great sense.</div>
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But I believe that Eric was joyful in the face of
many trials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As impossible as it
may seem, he persevered, and in Christ he is made perfect.</div>
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Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-56614428285734848752014-10-19T22:38:00.000-04:002014-10-19T22:38:41.283-04:00snowwhite, wet powder brings a capitol<br />
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to pause.</div>
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3 days of education</div>
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at the mall</div>
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home</div>
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and on the very streets of icy peril.</div>
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lights are doubled in the dark.</div>
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shoes break the bearier.</div>
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those with garages live large.</div>
Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-75526382387936974222014-03-27T21:40:00.001-04:002014-08-22T17:41:34.427-04:00newton gravityi was asked to share regarding a pair running shoes i picked up nearly a year ago. i'm all about pleasing the people.<br>
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after a couple years of running, here are a few of my shoe observations:<br>
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<li>shoes and injury are siblings. and if you spent time in arkansas (or in west virginia for my rva friends), you know how special the sibling relationship can really be.</li>
<li>running shoes have a shelf life, rather a half-life. you can run x00 miles in a pair before you hang them up, but they are still good to do stuff. but shoes, like people, can loose that loving feeling.</li>
<li>things and shoes cost money. i realize that many people are not into the pay to run thing. all good. i'm down with fiscal responsibility, fewer regulations and the gospel.</li>
<li>neon colors are totally in right now. it's safe; it's fun; it's a reminder that the 80's were really on to something.</li>
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patches o'houlihan said running is all about: sweat, water, salt, bananas. and sweat.<br>
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cracked sidewalks, arched roads and trails tattooed with roots are a runner's red carpet. stride after stride, mile after mile, each step is a pounding. and yes i've seen the hippies who don't wear shoes, and the 5 finger excuse for a shoe.<br>
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i'm aware that this wasn't what the people had in mind…<br>
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actual comments about the shoe include:<br>
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neutral, minimalistic. mechanics and hikers know what i'm talking bout.<br>
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the most distinguishing feature of this ride is not the awkward mcdonald's colors; it's the midfoot pop platform. supposedly, this keeps you forward and hopefully fast. for me, it took some getting used to. as a result i actually hate walking in these shoes, but irony is so hip right now- so i do it anyways. ultimately, the platform has been helpful to my form, or the lack there of.<br>
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overall, these are a great trainer and race option. light and firm- still talking about shoes here team. but i didn't run these exclusively. these are not built for single track. there are days when i need more support. for me rotation is key. hashtag share the love.<br>
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<br>Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-45425614595174835462014-01-02T23:52:00.001-05:002014-01-09T19:27:29.432-05:00fruits & vegesi recently inserted myself into a conversation- turning the attention to the (im)morality of natural state mega-store. or was it to myself? irony defined.<br />
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im a fool. not for my ideals, but because i scarred sacred dinner with words more fit for pubs than friends. my apologies. the lasagna was actually fantastic.</div>
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ive drank much- from the well of wendell, but ive had little from his table. ive romanticized the farmer, the worker and my own mind.</div>
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goliath still wrong. but im not david nor a smooth stone. keep your head down man. work. listen. breathe and please don't talk. instead enjoy seconds.</div>
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for the joy comes in the morning.</div>
Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-70946539501575804462013-12-03T21:51:00.001-05:002013-12-04T10:34:38.765-05:00indianshope lives<div>on the otherside</div><div>of mountains,</div><div>timeszones,</div><div>and the pillow.</div><div><br></div><div>many believe</div><div>getting there</div><div>takes longer</div><div>than return.</div><div><br></div><div>i believe thanks</div><div>rises</div><div>when we allow</div><div>ourselves </div><div>to be surprised</div><div>to not know all things</div><div>to sleep- on the floor.</div><div><br></div><div>turns out</div><div>getting there</div><div>doesn't matter.</div><div>but the leftovers</div><div>are</div><div>plenty</div><div>right here.</div><div><br></div><div>give thanks. today. try.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-58623696948833440992013-07-03T22:12:00.001-04:002014-01-09T19:25:13.471-05:00the office<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 24px;">my hands hurt </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 24px;">and shape </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 24px;">and free</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 24px;">and nothing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">several professionals have quoted the job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">never solicited but always recommended, by those who really know- farm it out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">now vested in the land,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">i relish their price. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">two are mine for that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">do it alone</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">with neighbors, learning and slow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">each blade of grass unique.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">time eternal and given.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">efficiency always wasted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">on occasion, duty and chore delight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the tortoise always wins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">read the story of old.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">i am neither sloth, nor hare.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">in a city of mice and men,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">we are the cheese. </span></div>
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Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-24499621187941152392013-04-25T22:05:00.002-04:002013-04-25T22:05:39.957-04:00for sergeant<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">financial reports indicate the comanche, texas newspaper is projecting bankruptcy next year after the loss of their one and only customer. i suspect a drop in ear plug sales across the metroplex.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">i am also told that parked cars, street signs, and garage doors everywhere sighed with relief when "granny" died. i will forever wish that i had a picture of the rear end of her car that "she never hit anyone with."</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">"when you remember me, it means that you have carried something of who i am with you, that i have left some mark of who i am on who you are. it means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. it means that if we meet again, you will know me. it means that even after i die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart. for as long as you remember me, i am never entirely lost... if you forget me, one of the ways i remember who I am will be gone. if you forget, part of who i am will be gone. the good thief said from his cross in luke </span><a href="">23:42</a>. <span style="color: #222222;">"jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." there are perhaps no more human words in all of scripture, no prayer we can pray so well. ” (frederick buechner) </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">of all the things, what i may remember about my "granny" is a large rocking chair that sat at the corner of her garage and drive way- the tactical placement enabled her to see everything on the botom half of east leech street in kilgore, texas. she liked to yell- oops talk at all the neighbors and passer bys. that rocking chair now, and forever, sits empty. i will remember her there on her chair through hot texas summers with a large box fan blowing at her back. i will remember the tattered word search pages that were covered with your phone numbers. oh, and there's the pulse button, corded phone that half sat on the tool shelf. </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">as i grew older and moved away, i will remember her phone calls. not unlike the calls you have received from her over the years. i will remember her forcefully clearing her throat into the phone as she told an odd story she read in the dallas morning news as if it were gospel, then said with great force, "granny!" she would hang up before i ever got a word in. i will remember the nickname my friends in east texas gave her, "sergeant granny," which stuck not only because of her volume, but also her resilience in our small town.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">i will remember b marie (swindoll) maxwell with joy and laughter. i believe that god creates all persons uniquely and in great love. never could this be more true than in the person of marie maxwell. she is indeed, one of a kind- and within her lives a love for you and for me and even for the stranger she just met at the gas station 5 min ago- this love can only come from the source of true love. i will remember the beautifully unique person god created in marie.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">i will, remember.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">henri nouwen says, "through memory, love transcends the limits of time and offers hope at any moment of our lives." </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">what will you remember? </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"life does not cease to be funny when people die, any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh." george bernard shaw</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">i suspect that many of our memories of marie are held close to our hearts with the bond of a chuckle.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">did you know that marie was from pretty, texas?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">did you know that she spent her wedding night in jail?</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">did you ever seen her laugh, yell and then start crying all in the same breathe?</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">in order to know this about her, you only needed to spend 5 and 1/2 unadulterated seconds in her joyous presence.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">my own memory is neither vast nor rich enough to carry her legacy. your memory carries her too. your memory of her as an aunt, a neighbor, a church member, a granny, a loving wife, a mother, and those of you who are the "i dont know how we know her but it's like we are family." you too. held together, all of these memories re-imagine the mosaic stained glass named marie maxwell. and the light shines through it.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">i believe that we hold her in our memory, not for the sake of our grief, but rather for hope. in the gospel of luke, the thief on the cross asked jesus, and he was indeed remembered in the kingdom come. and so we too remember marie, and we ask for her to be remembered, and i believe, in great-grace, god remembers her. in sadness, death swells our hearts, but in hope, god brings life again.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">there is an age old art. a practice older than bekin's, older than texas and even older than the bible. and marie, i believe mastered the art form. more than crochet', maries' artistry was that of a story teller. the narrative of human history is dependent upon this practice, and marie was a lifelong keeper of it.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">hear me out, i am not saying that all the stories she told, were exactly true- some of her stories were just that- stories. but i can say with certainty that marie's stories were told with purpose.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">she told stories to teach, to comfort, to laugh, to love, to tease, and others, though she didn't know it, were told to put you to sleep. her stories and her life exaggerate with meaning. a worthy embelishment.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">she told me stories about you, and about your parents, and your parent's neighbor's dog. she told the stories of our loving god and the stories of our broken world.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and in honor of marie, and the god who made her unique, i believe that we too can become story tellers.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">i leave you with my own story of her: as young boys, richard, daniel and i were far from still or clean. she loved it. i remember countless, soccer, baseball and football games. between the three of us, there must have been hundreds! my hunch is that in all she missed only a handful of our home games including my college games in arkansas. most "ball games" (as she called them), were followed by her taking us to get a whopper at bk, and then eventually home. i can remember knock-down-drag-out-yelling matches between chuck, teresa and granny as to why they didn't want their 80 + year old mother driving by herself 9 hours t</span>o <a href="">friday night</a>'s pl<span style="color: #222222;">ay off game in the middle of nowhere. i then remember chuck and teresa relenting and taking granny to those games. at home games, i rarely remember seeing her in the stands. but whether at the football stadium, the baseball park or the soccer field, one wouldn't need long to spot her, out of the corner of your eye, she was in her parked car with an advantageous view. she always had her windows down so she could talk to anyone who walked by. and if it happened to be one of your own games, and you didn't see her, all you had to do was wait for a goal to be scored, and sure enough the tired horn of a 99 white ford taurus would ring out as it were the israelites circling jericho. with that sound, i need not see granny, her car, her end zone dance, her smile, or her cane raised out of the window, for i knew she was there- with a large diet coke in the console, and like the spirit of god, she was there- always. and through the years, i developed a hunch that she would rather be at my game than in eternity with cecil. and though she missed and loved cecil with all of her soul, cecil could wait for his bride until after the game. for granny was staying for the 2nd half- and might i say "thanks be to god."</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">so as you go, as you laugh, as you cry and as you wonder- be a story teller. go tell the story of marie, the story of god- the story of life and love and all that falls between.</span></div>
</div>
Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-52499864644612599112012-12-03T22:23:00.004-05:002012-12-03T22:28:56.342-05:00seasons 5<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit; line-height: 24px;">we wanted the city</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit; line-height: 24px;">and cows.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit; line-height: 24px;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit; line-height: 24px;">denim, both kinds.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">boots, for shows and chores.</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); line-height: 24px;">
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">a forrest hill home,</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> image</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> market</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">and a river runs anew it.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">our quiet corner of cape cods</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> streets shaped by roots</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit;"> bikes traffic</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit;"> and designer dogs bow to rescues.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit;">our garden rests.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit;">fallen leaves foxhole sidewalks.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit;">and from our front door, </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit;"> to the east</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit;"> the skyline glimpses</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: inherit;"> winter.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0898438); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
</span>Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-73309549464759030552012-11-08T14:05:00.000-05:002012-11-08T14:07:18.940-05:00brother's parabolahfather had two sons<br />
<br />
eldest was success, family and simplicity.<br />
<br />
younger was wayward, debt and visionary.<br />
<br />
when mother died, the eldest son gave generously to the father. all of father's needs were accounted for by the elder.<br />
<br />
eventually, the elder discovered that father kept none of the gifts for himself. rather, father gave the gifts from elder son directly to the younger.<br />
<br />
elder was frustrated.<br />
with father,<br />
with younger,<br />
with mother.<br />
<br />
father died. the younger quickly received all of the father's assets. and when the estate was finally and completely settled, the elder received only a tattered, sealed letter, written in the hand of the father. the letter was dated long before the father's death, and it read:<br />
<br />
"elder, thank you."<br />
<br />
father was wasteful. but elder's heart was warmed.<br />
<br />
and now, from time to time, the elder gives also to his- brother.Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-10844999811770201582012-09-04T08:48:00.000-04:002012-09-04T08:48:25.384-04:00in with underi can't possibly know the depths of any one person at any given moment. we are given the surface, in its infinite value. how someone speaks, stands or slaps hands. any and all of this can clue us, if we receive it.<br />
<br />
but there is more.<br />
<br />
there are moments where i am the privileged. as a chaplain- as a friend- minister- brother. i with the rare, inside lane.<br />
<br />
most difficult, for i cannot protect, though the helper in me is add. ever wanting to do anything. not because i can actually assist, but because i feel better than nothing. the honor denies my contrived duty.<br />
<br />
these are the great opportunities. not to help or fix or save. rather, i can only marvel. at the power of another to live in with and under.Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-33621583339580971862012-08-21T11:16:00.000-04:002012-08-21T11:16:11.536-04:00football soccer<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
the old not yet </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
and </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
the new not fully</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
the association beacons influence among the active </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
national preference shifts and thrives </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
in one
form</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
the tribe identifies</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
international landscape broadens </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
for other
forms</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
new tides rise</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
uncertain </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
old orders pigeon hole</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
success</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
football soccer people</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
science sex culture</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
neither complete</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
nor understand</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
but we hope,</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
in due time.</div>
Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-32798971536669355372012-08-04T10:41:00.001-04:002012-08-04T10:44:53.841-04:00seasons 4hot dogs<br />
<div>
hot cars</div>
<div>
drinks only</div>
<div>
come with a lime.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
cold showers</div>
<div>
ice pops</div>
<div>
sticky skin</div>
<div>
from aloe imitation.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
work hard</div>
<div>
play harder</div>
<div>
the best of life </div>
<div>
is under the sun.</div>Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-6246225284979351932012-07-09T16:50:00.002-04:002012-07-09T16:50:56.875-04:00justthere can only be one? <br />
just this<br />
or that<br />
please just...<br />
<br />
how did this word happen- <span style="background-color: white;">nike?</span><br />
i'll indict adverbs in general.<br />
<br />
don't like this word.<br />
a desperate quick fix, always has one more just.<br />
<br />
<br />
just lost.<br />
when it wasn't just whatever.<br />
<br />
<br />
justice, justification, justin<br />
capable, thoughtful.<br />
<br />
unjust and fullness, live together.<br />
<br />
<br />Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-30158216163535944862012-06-04T09:20:00.000-04:002012-06-04T09:26:09.213-04:00nickel and dimesun rises and prices drop. <br />
early birds hunt for worm.<br />
all scouring, for a bargain.<br />
some in need,<br />
others hoarding,<br />
few only thrill for haggle.<br />
<br />
but here we have no bottom line.<br />
no emotional attachment.<br />
pay, please, for our sake.<br />
not lifting again is dividend enough.<br />
patron win is not our loss.<br />
<br />
yard sales, odd.<br />
humans, likely the same.<br />
community, follows suit.Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-9762375414635842002012-05-17T22:39:00.000-04:002012-05-17T22:39:41.955-04:00morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24esDBYoIOltbJkT2ZYO14_L24Wx7eUJQI7dwYQo61dfnWbxMXEXDXH-n7cqUttp1PyOWq7nv43cphkEmE6IQ2jjP5dEJdCai7z7RZdKflb436Ejd1hgq-sqGzmwlR3x7bCmsA3JhXoa-/s1600/sheet+blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24esDBYoIOltbJkT2ZYO14_L24Wx7eUJQI7dwYQo61dfnWbxMXEXDXH-n7cqUttp1PyOWq7nv43cphkEmE6IQ2jjP5dEJdCai7z7RZdKflb436Ejd1hgq-sqGzmwlR3x7bCmsA3JhXoa-/s320/sheet+blog.png" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24esDBYoIOltbJkT2ZYO14_L24Wx7eUJQI7dwYQo61dfnWbxMXEXDXH-n7cqUttp1PyOWq7nv43cphkEmE6IQ2jjP5dEJdCai7z7RZdKflb436Ejd1hgq-sqGzmwlR3x7bCmsA3JhXoa-/s1600/sheet+blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
in the morning when i rise,<br />
give me<br />
email.<br />
<br />
when i am alone,<br />
give me<br />
anything but myself<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
you can have all this world, </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
just give me</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
last night's scores.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
when i come to die</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
when i come to die</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
oh, when i come to die, give me</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
(hope)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-6810134657607371912012-05-09T21:31:00.001-04:002012-05-09T21:31:52.704-04:00clever titlei am success. i win. and i want you to like it-<br />
commend. follow. and repeat.<br />
<br />
i am lose. i fail. and i bet it's hard to watch.<br />
critique. laugh. and forget.<br />
<br />
these are both my false realities.<br />
i spend far more time<br />
washing dishes<br />
paying bills<br />
eating pb&j<br />
<br />
i am obviously not that great<br />
i am definitely not that bad<br />
i am okay<br />
<br />
we are fine- we are good in fact, but of no thanks to ourselves.<br />
<br />
<br />Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-18424961039670688172012-04-24T08:36:00.001-04:002012-04-24T08:41:53.839-04:00honest revolutionhistory has it wrong.<br />
copernicus' world is a fantasy.<br />
by how many axis am i spinning?<br />
the earths's, tilted<br />
the galaxy's, asymmetrical.<br />
and who cares about the moon anymore...<br />
at motion<br />
at rest<br />
i have never felt astronomical pivots.<br />
<br />
the earth- facebook- life- you-<br />
reality, more than not<br />
revolves around me.Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-7619669040030254702012-04-11T08:33:00.000-04:002012-04-11T08:33:36.825-04:00vending machinei smirked as i walked away, thinking that nothing of value informed a certain decision. well, whatever... as i arrived, i was wrong.<br />
<br />
dylan, from modern family, had a moment at dude ranch where he realized he was the furthest from home that he had ever been. he took another step, and again he realized he was the furthest from home that he had ever been.<br />
<br />
what has not brought me here? i believe that humans are designed to be whole, and that fragmented life voids value. <br />
<br />
each decision, moment, breathe- all connects the next. everything that i am, all that i had went into the decision:<br />
to wait<br />
to accept the offer<br />
to press dd for candy and not hh for chips<br />
Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-57400835579077911272012-03-22T15:09:00.000-04:002012-03-22T15:09:17.163-04:00the moonmid-day and staring at the blue sky. not uncommon. but the occasional afternoon a moon crescent unexpectedly hellos.<br />
<br />
when i was young and in the back of the family minivan, the moon was chasing me. most nights its size was precisely that of my thumb nail.<br />
<br />
the light of day can merely hide. for even at noonday, the moon hangs whether seen or unseen. and though i forget (and though we didn't go in '69), it is neither further nor closer than it ever was.Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-50947913408121875112012-03-12T22:18:00.000-04:002012-03-12T22:18:26.390-04:0065 and sunnycoffee and worship<br />
with the people<br />
lunch and honesty<br />
with good friends<br />
afternoon nap<br />
with wifey<br />
bike<br />
by myself.<br />
all of these<br />
the same<br />
i give thanks<br />
for life.Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-76226089136723075132012-02-29T19:49:00.002-05:002012-02-29T19:49:46.642-05:00luckthere are moments where i deserve any of this,<br />
<br />
fool.<br />
<br />
but there are also <br />
glimpses in the morning<br />
as i roll over<br />
away from you.<br />
smiles in the grocery<br />
when you ask to splurge<br />
on a two dollar item.<br />
mere seconds,<br />
when i helplessly grasp<br />
your living beauty.<br />
<br />
here in the space between my arrogance<br />
and my astonishment<br />
i thank you.<br />
lucky me.<br />
<br />
life and love with you<br />
is next to salvation.Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3047587496198275382.post-30664005182672273332012-02-20T22:54:00.000-05:002012-02-20T22:54:57.294-05:00the bachelor and (ette)snot the lack of acting. nor the track record.<br />
<br />
wholeness, more than monogamy, is left wanting. more than sex, more than adventure, more than the love of another- this escape reveals a separation anxiety.<br />
<br />
he's lost his sense of self within the rosy distraction(s). she's hopeful to merely outlast the other(s).<br />
<br />
our artless infatuation rightfully reveals the reality- fragmentation. his selection(s) segregate(s). he won't find the one(s).<br />
<br />
designed in singularity, with a love, by an endless unity. the bachelor can only remind us of all that life isn't. may we find ourselves rated, premier and whole.Jake Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277444617411862702noreply@blogger.com0