Knock-Knock, It's The Mental Institution

January 24, 2013

Hi! Maritza again. Just wanted to state that, this is written documentation that my Daddy needs a full brain scan. I'm talking about hugging himself all day while surrounded by pillows and the men in white. What made me come to this conclusion? Listen to this. Daddy says keep a foot on both sides of the fence? Why? Where is it and how big is this fence. Is he serious?
So I had to ask Daddy. With a smile(as usual when I ask him to explain something for me) he leads with,

"It's about being opened minded. You have to keep a foot on both sides of the fence. You must know both sides of any situation. Don't knock someone until you put yourself in their shoes. Think like a person without luxuries, and a person with more than enough. Think like a person who can walk, and one who can't. Think like a person who is homeless, and one who is not. A person who can see and one who can't. Put yourself in any particular position, then you can grow to appreciate what you have."

I have tried it and it just, makes me sad.

Daddy continues, "It would help to experience loss and pain, to empathize.....but we'll try to avoid it. Even though it's sad to say, it's a part of our life, our classroom, our teacher. I believe, It would be just as effective to-basically-imagine what it would be like. Break it down to it's purist form. Then the question I ask is, could you handle it? Would you be as strong as you are now? The brain is an incredible thing, Maritza. Never take it for granted. I know I have told you before, to "never say never", but this is the exception.

Never take for granted your five senses, your ability to walk, run, stand, jump, grasp, or stand, the joy of seeing the sunrise; feeling the warmth on your face, the serenity of the sun setting, to cue the calming of night, the walks along the beach, hearing the birds sing in the morning, inhaling the essence of breakfast in your house the moment you wake up. These, and many more are my perks of life. I will share them with you, so you will cherish the capability to hug, talk and listen to someone, laugh, cry and learn from someone, build, grow and prosper all on your own.
It gives your soul depth to consider other people, their situations and how they feel. It breaks that barrier(the fence), the blindness, so you are able to stand on both sides of the fence and see things for what they are, appreciate what ever it is you have! To understand, you must be open minded"

Open minded? Does that make any sense? Wearing other peoples shoes? I just don't get it. Why would anyone stand on both sides of the fence, when it's perfectly fine and acceptable to stand on one side. And when did he break the fence? Will he get in trouble for it? Where is this fence he speaks so highly of? Can I see it? Come on Daddy! I gathered my thoughts and confronted Daddy one more time about the fence and he said

"It's not a real fence, Maritza. It is the fence or wall put up, to block our vision of what is outside our lives."

So, now the fence doesn't exist? How can I believe what you say, when you keep changing the story around. I didn't get my answer; just then-ding dong-the door bell rang. Daddy went to see who was at the door. I glanced at the door. Daddy was blocking what looked like three men. One with a black clipboard tucked under the arm of his designer suit and tie. The other two men were bigger than Daddy, but not as tall. They wore white hospital scrubs and a mean look. I was scared; Daddy wasn't. He spoke to the men as if he knew them; he didn't. Daddy looked confused.

"Someone called the doctor and told them I was mentally insane. Did you call?", he laughed.

"No Daddy. I don't know how to use a phone"

"I was joking Maritza"

So was I.
 

To be continued......