Showing results by author "Vinny Green" in All Categories

Mark Twain once wrote: “Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on Earth.” This is what each of us should strive for in this God-ordained life. It does not require anything extra or cost all that you have. It does not bring about the daily emergence of new levels of pain or the forming of lies just to get by.

Detective Nikki Evelyn Armstrong, a decorated member of the United States Navy and the New York City Police Department, stood at the site of the freshly dug grave surrounded by its moist piles of dirt. She reflected on what most thought to be a promising career.

The day began like most any summer day with the sun shining bright. School was closed, and all of us looking forward to a day of delight. As the day moved by, with little warning, and to my dismay, Samantha Seahorse once again decided to sprinkle the day with her bullying ways. As I was sitting down to recline for my daily rock-a-bye nap, Samantha swam by, disturbing the flow of what I had hoped to be a peaceful day. As she swam past, I could not help but reflect on my past and her bullying ways, day after day.

Simba, known as the “Blue Lightning Bolt”, because of his sky-blue skin, was born (many would prefer the word, manufactured), at a Volkswagen plant in Braunschweig, Germany. A little-known fact is that from the day he rolled off the assembly line, Simba could communicate as well as you and me. This wasn’t something included in his design plans. However, he actually left the plant tapping his front right tire and singing Elvis Presley songs.

Upon graduation from high school, Nikki was awarded a full four-year scholarship to a prestigious university in New England. Her initial response was to decline the offer. She wasn’t crazy about the idea of being so far away from family and friends.

In this sharing from the heart, I attempt to explore love and, in some instances, hate in their many forms and sources. I have loved and been in love for more than half a century. I have endured broken hearts and might have even broken one or two, although as I look in the mirror, I seriously doubt it. I have foolishly thought I had it all figured out, only to come to the realization that when it comes to love and being in love, I have but scratched the surface, and my vision remains severely trammelled.

Summers in Bayview was an awesome time for myself and my good friend Stan. He and I had an unshakable habit of taking the short walk down to the Canarsie Pier every Tuesday and spending the day fishing and talking about anything that came to mind.