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View Full Version : Cancer Doesn't Define Me. This Does!


TCLEFT
09-29-08, 07:33 PM
I'm the luckiest man on the planet. Printer was out of paper. I, um, got some from work. Purely for printing out projects during telecommutes. Ok, you got me. This was in the que. I repeat, I'm the luckiest man on the planet.

Christopher deRaismes
9/27/08
Block c
Sunday mornings


Sunday morning is an interesting and maybe the most memorable time during the weekend. You wake up early, walk down the steps, and look out the windows watching the sun rise over the surrounding trees. The grass reflecting the morning light, a glassy mirror. The aroma of brewing coffee fills the room and the dogs lay at your feet asleep. As you sit, a certain calm just drenches you.
Music composition takes many forms during these moments. It reveals itself in the air, under the sofa, in the first sip of coffee, or in the first few strummed chords. Then those fragments of music become words, then they become sentences, until the story becomes a song or a dream that only dogs dream about. Whether the story is sad, or happy, or even lonely depends on the listeners interpretation . Sometimes the story is unclear in the beginning, but like every Sunday morning when the light finally floods in, a picture is painted in front of our eyes. That moment is locked in our thoughts until it is time for it to be expressed.
Life is a lost and sometimes confusing place. Set goals can seem so distant, and the paths you follow will not be the same the next day. When your mind is clouded and obscured by too many thoughts, Sunday morning in the living room soothes the pressures, giving a moment of peace to relax.
The last few years have slipped by so quickly. Giving insight to how time can change you. Once innocent to troubles, now encompass your every movement, and every choice. These stories remain in your songs to help memories become calmer, like the stillness after a storm.
Sunday mornings in the living room is a place of many memories. Some are distant, barely remembered, while others have a lasting effect. From when we moved in when it was bare to the bone, until it flourished in color, and in life. It holds all moments in every corner, in every painting, and under every sofa. This is home base when all other places are far away.
One particular Sunday morning in the recent past stands out clearly. Everyone was asleep and the first few rays of light from my bedside window woke me up. Peering through my eyelashes, sleep slowly faded from my body, until I rose from my bed. I creeped down the steps toward the kitchen in hopes of brewing some coffee. Aware of my wakefulness my two dogs barreled down the steps to greet knocking over everything in sight.
When everything was placed back in their original position, I headed
back to the living room and sat. reflecting on how tired I was and those noisy dogs now fast asleep at my feet. I sat there for awhile half dreaming, staring off into space. When slow footsteps started up the stairs. My father looked at me with tired eyes and sat down on the sofa. He took out his guitar and he put the capo on the third fret, and caught a song from the wind. He started playing and a song revealed itself. Inspired I took out my guitar and produced a counter melody. It was strangely peaceful taking something and adding to it. It was a simple moment in my history but lasting . Out of all the memories I have I cherish this one the most. There is so many bad memories but I want to remember the good ones. Only the good ones.



From me to all of you, "Only the Good Ones".
Much Love,
Mark

Fed
09-29-08, 07:38 PM
Christopher is wise beyond his years, perhaps for the bad reasons. Nevertheless, his knowledge enables him to keep "only the good ones."

Bro, thanks for sharing this. I needed something like this today.

Fed

Scott
09-29-08, 07:41 PM
Beautiful. You're a lucky man, my friend. May you, too, flourish in color and in life.

Jay68442
09-29-08, 07:50 PM
Mark reading Christopher’s words tell me a lot about the man that raised him. You have done a wonderful job and must be extremely proud. I’m sure reading that made your day. Now go give him one of those bear hugs of yours.

PS. From now on keep the printer empty. :)

dadmo
09-29-08, 08:04 PM
Those are the moments of which all fathers dream. Congratulations Mark, you've raised a wonderful man.

emilyalex
09-29-08, 08:18 PM
DEFINITELY says a lot about the man who raised him. You should be proud and I know you are. I've only met Christopher once, but I think I shared with you after the Family Fix what an impression he made on me. He's a wonderful young man!

Like father, like son.

Em

Karen
09-29-08, 09:09 PM
Christopher is such an awesome kid. You and Joanne should be VERY proud of the young man he is becoming. I just loved him being at the FFF and playing guitar with you as the moon rose. Give that Christopher a Jersy bear hug from me.

Russell's Mom
09-29-08, 09:31 PM
It is so refreshing to me to be reminded that this disease cannot stomp out love...more clever than the disease itself, it will shine, and sprout during our weakest and most awake moments, when we are looking and when we are not looking. A brave a stedfast representative...thanks Chris!! LOVEstrong, Sharon

Fish
09-29-08, 09:33 PM
What a great picture that painted, just awsome!

MRMRSU
09-30-08, 12:41 AM
In reading that, why do I feel like Christopher considers himself one lucky guy too?! His words on paper plucked at your heartstrings as well as all of us who read it. Somehow, writing and music go hand-in-hand...what an eloquent young man.

Aegletes
09-30-08, 07:04 AM
Wow, Mark, you don't just have a son, you have a true friend and one who's wise and thoughtful beyond his years. Hug that kid tight.

boyce
09-30-08, 09:14 AM
Hey Mark,

Please rmember this moment and Christopher's beautiful thoughts the next time that ugly "unworthy" word enters your world.

Nobody unworthy could ever inspire that beauty.

veryworriedmom
10-01-08, 04:10 PM
That is beautiful! Frame it( unless you dont want him to know you have it) Besides having a beautiful soul, hes cute too!;) Give him a bear hug from us! Love Marion

Rollwithit
10-01-08, 04:39 PM
Wonderful! It painted a beautiful picture. So glad you shared it with us. He is an amazing young man. I know you must be so proud of him.:)

Karen
10-01-08, 06:42 PM
Besides having a beautiful soul, hes cute too!;)

Yes, and he smells like a flower (hi Christopher!):D

Paul54
10-01-08, 06:56 PM
Awesome kids come from awesome families.

TCLEFT
10-15-08, 08:10 PM
One pager
Christopher de Raismes

Being alert to one’s surroundings and understanding the nature of what is around you seems to be a lost art among individuals. Reality becomes a distant dream to most when confronted with so many distractions such as computers, television, and work. The thoughts and feelings of others and our own for that matter disappear. We have become slaves to these distractions and have lost sight of what truly matters. We disregard family, friends, the driving force that shapes us, for the sole reason that it does not benefit our short term needs. There are so many things that people miss when all focus is in one direction, and when they realize it a world of hurt sets in our hearts, because time is a precious element and when you loose it, you truly understand how important it was.
As age sets in and years pile on at a relentless rate, memories flood in from long ago. Even though yesterday is completely gone from our thoughts. When you reflect back on all those years most wonder if they left the mark they intended to leave. That is the greatest goal of mankind is to live on even when the time to go has come. Mankind strives at being the all time greatest at what we do, but when kind advice and meaningful teaching comes into play we turn a blind eye and a deaf ear. Afraid of others strengths and afraid of recognizing our own weaknesses, is the force that holds us at bay from ever becoming better. Egos play with our minds and hearts, another time consumer.
Looking at the whole picture of life is completely lost in human habit. Enjoying simple and sometimes meaningless things has become arduous and to some resentful. But who is to judge what is meaningful and what is not. If something is not complex, than to most it is useless. Sometimes the simplest things give the greatest meaning to our most difficult questions. Sometimes if you look right in front you and do not search for a more complex meaning it can be more beneficial to you. Don’t waste your time trying to figure out why and accept what is.
Painters and writers see the world and more. They give life to dull objects, and they give color to things that otherwise would be gray. They see their surroundings and embellish them. They can take human emotion and put it on paper. Understanding the entire picture for what it is enforces us took look at our own painting. The story is ours to create, the ending we sometimes have no control over, it just is.

MRMRSU
10-16-08, 12:11 AM
Mark, how old did you say Christopher is? His words, his observations sound so much more profound than men twice his age. If I were an English teacher (and people have told me that I could've been one in my last life) I would give his paper an A+ with a smiley face :) to boot! My Lyrical Brother has a Lyrical Son (so wait, does that make Christopher my Lyrical Nephew??? ;) )

Karen
10-16-08, 06:53 AM
Wow. I agree with Maria on his depth of insight. You have quite a son to be proud of!

Fish
10-16-08, 01:38 PM
I truly expect great things from Christopher, so young and so much insight.

CharlieFL
10-17-08, 09:32 AM
Hey Mark, Christopher is definitely quite a fine young man. Certainly takes from his mother's side of the family....... JUST KIDDING :p !!! Definitely a chip off the old block! Such great minds need to be cultivated. Definitely, the future is brighter with young people like him around. Too bad he's too young to run for President this year. Thanks for sharing!