You. Me.

I've handled a gun only once in my life.

I was in my very early twenties and living in the great state of Texas at the time.
My cousin thought it unusual that I had never experienced, so he grabbed his pistol, swooped me up and off we went to a familiar, secluded, open field.
Once there, Cousin placed a few aluminum cans on a fence and proceeded to show me how to properly manage a firearm.
He effortlessly aimed and hit every one, knocking them off with a powerful blast.

Then it was my turn to show that I had paid attention and knew exactly what to do
& so, I took his gun.
I aimed.
I pressed
& I missed by a mile or two.
Tried again and maybe once or twice more.
Those cans never budged.

"Oooooh well" I said, as I handed the hardware back to my laughing cousin.
I thanked him for the lesson,
went about my life
& haven't thought about holding a gun since.

Until recently.

Now it seems I am being deluged with reasons as to why I should own a weapon.
Seems every gun person I know and even those I don't, feels the need to remind me of just how naive I am because I live a 'no gun' lifestyle
& I appreciate all the concern, I truly do but,
You are YOU.
I am ME
& I mean absolutely no disrespect when I say 'No Thanks'

No matter how horribly ugly this world seems to be headed I can't, I won't own a gun.
I was brought up to never, ever hurt another person's body.
I taught my children to never, ever hurt another person's body
& I know me.
I can't.
Quite frankly, I'd rather take my chances with humankind.

So if you feel the need to tell me how unbelievably ignorant I am, go ahead.
I will not change my mind
& if that means I will leave this world by the hatefulness of another ?
So be it.
I know where I will be going next.

I know without a doubt, that I will be reunited with an incredibly awesome friend of mine
& the very first words I plan to say to this friend are "I tried."
I tried my best to spread happiness, kindness, love.
But, I'll have to remind my pal that His earthly word is hard
& some of His people continue to answer hate with hate, force with force.

I also plan to ask Him if I get another chance, another chance to try again.
Hopefully, I do
& if I do, I will promise Jesus that I will live the exact same way of life.
I'll try my best to quietly, consistently pass around His happiness, His kindness, His love to you, to them, to her, to my neighbors, to the guy on the train.
All in the hope that they, in turn, will take that love and hand it to you
To them
To Her
To their neighbors
To the guy on the train.
So that maybe, just maybe, one sweet day we just won't need all those firearms anymore.

So to every proud, licensed, law abiding, USA loving, happily hunting, honest to goodness great citizen I know out there,
I applaud you.
I appreciate you
& I soooo anticipate your exasperated response to my words.

Just remember ...
You are YOU
I am ME

& I would rather take my chances.

:)

I Am My Feelings