Judging a Book by it's Cover

    














     The one thing you should know about judging a book by its cover is, you should never do it. The more I grow, the more I see how alike we all are. And how often we are constantly judging the ones around us.
     Growing up I lived in two completely different style households, so I was exposed to a variety of lifestyles. My mother is a peaceful, well dressed and well put together women. And my father is a big, Harley riding, tattooed man. With just looking at my mother you may assume she is proper and professional. You wouldn't expect that she is one of the most wild, out spoken, vulgar, loud and funniest people you will ever met. And the big tattooed, Harley riding man is a man of God. He goes to church every Saturday and Sunday, prays before every meal and bedtime and his father is a priest. And little did you know, you can have one of the most genuine conversations you will ever have with this man. My mother has always been my rock. She is loud when its okay, professional when its needed and there for me all the time. My dad had a different past but made his way to where he needs to be now. Life isn't always about giving an image you want people to see, but being who you are and letting those willing to get to know you, see the real you.
     Something that really draws my attention is how often we stereotype. For example, homeless people. When you are walking around and you see a homeless person, what are your first thoughts? Lazy, dirty, they could get a job if they wanted or maybe they don't deserve money? Did you know that over half of the homeless men in my town are World War Veterans? They fought for our country, they've seen death, they've been through it all, just to fight for us. And most of them now have injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and are unable to get a job. They do not receive the money they were promised because of the disabilities they now have and don't have any other options. And how about those tattooed people? piercings, tattoos, stretched ears. Unprofessional right? wrong. Have you ever spoken to someone with tattoos? They are so intelligent. Doctors, lawyers and teachers. They have tattoos and usually each and every tattoo has a remarkable story behind that remarkable person.
     Maybe we look a certain way to hide what we've gone through. Or maybe we just express ourselves in the way that makes us feel best about ourselves. But in the end, so many of us have so much in common. Don't be shy from your past, your struggles or your secrets. We all have them. Its what makes us stronger and who we are today. Don't write someone off because they have tattoos, smoke cigarettes or look a little different than you, because you two could have the same exact story. And it goes both ways, just because your tattooed, crazy and have a hard past, doesn't mean that pretty, popular blonde cheerleader hasn't gone through the same trials that you have. Open your heart and open your mind, and you will see the beautiful souls that are in each and every one of us.
     I wanted to share a poem I wrote about my father. It is from the very bottom of my heart, and I usually don't share my poems with anyone. But I feel it shows my past, present and future. My struggles and the strength it brought me into mother hood.

To break down these days is like something forbidden.
Like all your emotions have to be hidden
Don't raise your voice don't cry and don't show fear
when all I really want to do is break down right here
You have to be strong your a mother now
but when going through these battles I just don't know how
Where the fuck is my dad and where has he always been
doped out in the garage boiling up another sin
When you look in your baby's eyes did you just not care
or was it the drugs in your eyes behind the blank stare
Did you not know how to rock me or just hold me tight
did you not know the battle for daughter could've been your best fight
Could you not have fought for something you created 

you have come out strong and know that you made it
But instead you chose the Devils path and ended up in the Devils wrath
Dirty drugs and money was all you knew but that will be one thing I learned from you
How to be a mother and my kid will always be number one
There will not be one path that I cannot cross to get this job done
Not one river, one bridge Or one tunnel I cannot see through
Because my son is my everything and I would take my life if I had to.

Thank you for stopping by my blog.
Always remember to have open eyes, a loving heart and warm soul.
Each battle is yet another feather earned, and we all have a couple.