Hello All
Happy Friday
There is a King, who is aware of every mask you put on.
Rumi
The human face is, after all, nothing more nor less than a mask.
Agatha Christie
To clothe the fiery thought
In simple words succeeds.
For still the craft of genius is
To mask a king in weeds.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
There comes a time, when a good man must wear a mask.
Johnny Depp
I’ve never been able to understand the seriousness of it all, the seriousness of pride. People talk act, live as if they’re never going to die. And what do they leave behind? Nothing. Nothing but a mask.
Bob Dylan
Over 100,000 Americans have died in 90 days. Over 1,000 a day have passed because of Covid-19 between March and May, in time for Memorial Day. To get a bit of perspective of how many that is, a little over 600,000 people died in the 4 years of our Civil War.
And still many say its not that big of deal, it has nothing to do with them, we need to move forward regardless. What will we say when it is 200,000 around Labor Day, 90 days from now?
How many could be saved between now and then if we all wear masks? Which member of your family or group of friends might not make it through and survive because too many people refused to follow the science and just wear a mask?
You have already worn innumerable masks in your lifetime and you will be wearing others before you are done. What’s one more?
All of us, at one time or another, wear masks.
How often in your life can you say that you are the exact same person regardless of who is around you or the circumstances you find yourself in? Are you the same person with everyone that you meet?
I am not the same person with everyone. There are few who are able to achieve it; Mother Theresa, Ghandi, the Dalai Lama . . . but most of us wear masks and many wear them just to get through the days.
You wear one mask when you are talking to your boss and another mask when you are hanging out with your best friend. You wear a different mask with your grandparents than you do with your kids.
We are not the same person with our spouse that we are with our doctor. Both can be very intimate relationships, but we are not the same person because of our wondrously varied characteristics and personalities. The different masks we wear can be completely tied and bound into the human condition and at times are necessary.
There are masks that can be worn to keep from hurting a loved one or friend. You are eating a meal they had prepared for you. It is awful, but you smile through every bite.
You are asked your opinion on the music played by your 6 year old nephew on the violin at his recital and you say with deep love in your eyes that it is one of the best songs you have heard played.
You may find yourself working for someone who intimidates, bullies and can never be wrong. You also have children to feed, a mortgage to pay and insurance to cover . . . what can you do but wear a mask and smile through the pain, hurt, frustration and sorrow.
The Lone Ranger and Zorro are both folklore heroes and are famous for wearing masks.
People love Halloween and masquerade balls. Many love to cover their face in a decorative or scary mask and have great fun pretending to be someone or something they are not. Much truth telling can come out of people in those festive moments. Great fun is had wearing masks creating memories that can last a lifetime.
There are some masks that cannot be replaced and are considered a great treasure in the world. The Egyptian King Tut’s death mask is known the world over and is considered priceless.
People can be paid enormous sums of money because of how well they wear masks. How many masks do you figure Meryl Streep has worn in her lifetime?There are very few that can do it better. She is wonderfully loved and deserves all the acting awards she has earned for her brilliance and enormous talent putting on different masks. What about dear Tom Hanks? He would tell you it’s great fun to wear masks and can be quite a profitable and successful business.
Politicians are some of the biggest and most ardent wearers of masks. I doubt anyone reading this will argue that comment. Many are good at deceptively appearing to believe in one way but when you are no longer around they act in the completely opposite way. Many can wear masks of complete conviction while lying straight to your face.
Now, millions on our planet are getting sick and dying from a virus that simply doesn’t care about you or anyone you love. It doesn’t care about what you believe, who you support or what hopes you have for your future.
This virus is particularly dangerous because it is invisible. Many have no idea they have contracted the virus. It can infect a person who seems perfectly healthy, not so much as a sniffle but then will kill the next door neighbor in less than a week. The two had just talked across the fence for 2 minutes the week before. That story is playing out all over the world.
Here’s the craziness and I do mean insanity – people are being encouraged by some of our leaders to NOT WEAR A MASK. Pride, politics, ignorance, prejudice, lies are all being spread as destructively as the virus . . . and the virus is literally eating it up!
What does love do now? Jesus says to Love your neighbor as yourself. What’s the best way to do that right now?
Science has proven that if we physically wear a mask it can help keep ourselves and others SAFE. A mask can save your life and can save your neighbors life! The science proves that masks help slow down and at times stop this virus from spreading. It is particularly important and helpful because so many don’t realize they have the virus and they are infecting others everywhere they go.
You are already wearing more masks than you might like to admit or believe. Here’s one that can save lives. One more mask can save your son, daughter, spouse, parent, best-friend . . . you can help save them and yourself . . .
What does Love do now?
WEAR A MASK, SCARF, BANDANA, . . . PLEASE!
WEAR IT FOR LOVE!
Masquerade
by Berlin
The painted faces on the street
Caricatures of long ago
Oh they were young and oh-so sweet
Down beyond the boulevard
Knock on doors and empty halls
And still sometimes remember
The masquerade’s forever
When you see the price they paid
I’m sure you’ll come and join the masquerade
The reeling figures pass on by
Like ghosts in some forgotten play
Beneath the black and empty sky
Music plays and figures dance
With partners chosen by chance
And still sometimes remember
The masquerade’s forever
They reached for tomorrow
But tomorrows, more of the same
So they reached for tomorrow
But tomorrow never came
When you hear the price they paid
I’m sure you’ll come and join the masquerade
One by one and two by two
Past eight by tens in shattered frames
The players try to leave the room
Frantic puppets on a string
And all the while the music sings
And still sometimes remember
The masquerade’s forever
_______________________________
Masquerade
by Andrew Lloyd Webber from The Phantom of the Opera
Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
So the world will
Never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade . . .
Masquerade!
Look around –
There’s another
Mask behind you!
Flash of mauve . . .
Splash of puce . . .
Fool and king . . .
Ghoul and goose . . .
Green and black . . .
Queen and priest . . .
Trace of rouge . . .
Face of beast . . .
Faces . . .
Take your turn, take a ride
On the merry-go-round . . .
In an inhuman race . . .
Eye of gold . . .
Thigh of blue . . .
True is false . . .
Who is who . . .?
Curl of lip . . .
Swirl of gown . . .
Ace of hearts . . .
Face of clown . . .
Faces . . .
Drink it in, drink it up,
Till you’ve drowned
In the light . . .
In the sound . . .
But who can name the face . . .?
Masquerade …