I had a bad head injury in the Army. I have seizures which are difficult to control with medication. I have gone into a coma from seizures. And I live with the prospect of sudden death from a seizure. This certainly changed my outlook on life, made me more charitable and more involved. Now I take notice of the beauty of rain drops on leaves, clouds, the beauty of animals, etc. But I don't regret some of my more selfish pursuits in earlier years. Father Tony, you have written a wonderful and insightful essay. Seems like many gay men are quite ageist. Maybe your essay will inject some much-needed reality into gay perceptions about growing older. Much love to you, sweetest man!
Tony, Your words are always a pleasure to check in on; but the essay from the Blade this week was truly inspiring and one of your best! You spoke straight through the internet to me; and, I hope, to many others. Thank you, KevinAtl.
This essay is one of your finest. Your love of life is apparent and joyfully shared. Would that we all could understand how to leave behind the childish and embrace the childlike experience of life in the moment. Looking back, is mine the legacy I wish to leave? I act now to change it, few regrets, and live fully to bring joy to others. There is no greater pleasure.
Your own life is one of such consideration. You bring the gift of laughter, behind which is the passion for your brothers' well-being. Yours is a life well-lived and a legacy—a new sort of "community development"—of which to be proud.
7 comments:
I had a bad head injury in the Army. I have seizures which are difficult to control with medication. I have gone into a coma from seizures. And I live with the prospect of sudden death from a seizure. This certainly changed my outlook on life, made me more charitable and more involved. Now I take notice of the beauty of rain drops on leaves, clouds, the beauty of animals, etc. But I don't regret some of my more selfish pursuits in earlier years. Father Tony, you have written a wonderful and insightful essay. Seems like many gay men are quite ageist. Maybe your essay will inject some much-needed reality into gay perceptions about growing older. Much love to you, sweetest man!
Inspired. Beautiful. Sensitive. I taped it to my bathroom mirror.
"I will minimize the time I spend consuming stuff and maximize the time I spend creating stuff."
This is one of the most beautiful and bold declarations I've heard in quite some time. Thank you for adding this idea to my head.
Tony, Your words are always a pleasure to check in on; but the essay from the Blade this week was truly inspiring and one of your best! You spoke straight through the internet to me; and, I hope, to many others. Thank you, KevinAtl.
This essay is one of your finest. Your love of life is apparent and joyfully shared. Would that we all could understand how to leave behind the childish and embrace the childlike experience of life in the moment. Looking back, is mine the legacy I wish to leave? I act now to change it, few regrets, and live fully to bring joy to others. There is no greater pleasure.
Your own life is one of such consideration. You bring the gift of laughter, behind which is the passion for your brothers' well-being. Yours is a life well-lived and a legacy—a new sort of "community development"—of which to be proud.
thank you FT and all the commenters.
respectfully,
anthony menendez
Brilliant, as usual.
I so am glad you posted this online, I could not find it in my print version of the Blade.
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