AMAZON

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Home Is Where the Heart Is

Recently I have had some email correspondence with Ann, whose blogs Roc Rebel Granny and Is America Burning I really must add to my list of Great Blogs to Read.

Part of our dialogue has revolved around homophobia and the prejudice against gays and Lesbians that seems to be increasing in the United States.

Tonight, as I have been unable to sleep, I was thinking about that as the Peter, Paul, and Mary CD, Songs of Conscience and Concern, that was playing came to the song by Sally Fingerett, Home Is Where the Heart Is.

Sometimes, especially at 3:00 a.m. when one wants to sleep, but can't, music can trigger images of events and people in ways that are, for lack of a better word, unique--different from previous memories. As I listened to the acceptance and love expressed in Home Is Where the Heart Is, my mind turned to the Gay and Lesbian people who have touched my life: my cousin (has he really be dead over a year) and his daughter; my ex-wife and her sister; the pastors who have influenced my understanding and theology; the folks who were taken from this life at such young ages by AIDS.

I thought of their stories, especially the non-acceptance, prejudice, and even hostility that they encountered from people and, in many cases, their own families. And I weighed those images against the love and acceptance with which the mother and daughter in this song express toward their neighbors. I remember that line from the Ash Wednesday service: As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to struggle against everything that leads us away from the love of God and neighbor.

I replayed the song, three times, and realized that it says more than I could ever write about love, compassion, and acceptance. So I decided that I want to share it with you and hope that I am not violating any copyright, since it is more potent than any sermon I have ever written or heard on the issue.

You can hear the song here: Home Is Where The Heart Is by Peter, Paul and Mary
Home Is Where the Heart Is
(Sally Fingerett)

On the corner there's this nice man
His name is Mark, He's always smiling
He's got this mom who comes on Wednesdays
In the evening with soup so steaming
He shares his house with his friend Martin
They're not brothers, they're not cousins
My little girl wonders all about these men
I take hold of her hand, and I begin

[Chorus:]
Home is where the heart is
No matter how the heart lives
Inside your heart where love is
That's where you've got to make yourself
At home

Across the yard live Deb and Tricia
With their tools and ladders
And their room addition
My kid yells over, "Are ya having a baby?"
They wink and smile, they say, "Someday maybe."
But through their doors go kids and mommies
Funny how you don't see the daddies go in
My little girl wonders
'Bout this house with no men,
I take hold of her hand
And I begin

[Chorus]

'Round the corner, here comes Martin
He's alone now, he tries smiling
He roams around his well stocked kitchen
He knows that fate will soon be coming
My little girl wonders where he will live
I take hold of her hand and I begin

[Chorus]

Martin sits and waits with his windows open
His house is empty, his heart is broken
We bring him toys and watercolors
He loves to hear my little baby's stories
She's the gift I share
She's his companion
She's the string on the kite
She guides him into the wind
My little girl wonders who will care for him
We take hold of his hand and we begin

29 comments:

  1. That is absolutely beautiful, Nick. And what is even more beautiful, in my opinion, is the message of tolerance and acceptance that emanates from your blog. I always feel loved after I read your daily post.

    You are one of a kind, Nick and I am honored to know you.

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  2. thanks Nick, for this song.

    I've not heard it but I will go out and buy it.

    xx
    pinks

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  3. Such a wonderful song! Why can't more people be as loving and accepting as that mom and her daughter? My eyes are filled with tears even as I smile.

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  4. This is a good song. I've never been able to understand why people are homophobic. Some of them are irrational and violent in their hatred of it. I feel sorry for them.

    What bothers me even more is how some "Christians" try to make it sound as if all Christians should and do feel homophobic. I don't believe Christ would've felt like that or would be the least bit impressed.

    Thanks for this post.

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  5. Ironic. I did a post last night when I couldn't sleep, I don't understand, and it related to issues such as this. I'll post it in a few days. I just don't understand how people can think this way.

    xxx

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  6. Nick, even reading it in print brings tears to my eyes.

    I will never understand the hate. Never.

    Ann

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  7. Your exwife is a lesbian? I would think that you... Never mind. You are unlike anyone I have ever met.

    That is a really wonderful song. I will order the CD from amazon.

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  8. That is indeed a beautiful song and I wish more people would be as tolerant as the characters in the song. I think people who are homophobic are so, because they just don't understand and what they don't understand scares them. Great post Nick!

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  9. You probably did violate copywrite laws with that, but something tells me Peter, Paul & Mary wouldn't mind. Nice post.

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  10. Awesome Nick! You know, there are sadly, so many people who view homosexuals as ‘sexual beings’ only. They don’t see them as humans – people we see on a day-to-day basis. They think that we’re (speaking for myself of course) perverts and promiscuous. It’s amazing of how many people are begging for acceptance, yet not giving it back in return.

    Thanks Nick, for posting this!

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  11. Some of the nicest people I know are gai. We are all God's children.

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  12. That was a really great post, I always love to hear about acceptance. I have a few friends that are gay, and I've encountered too many hateful people so this was very refreshing.

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  13. I agree with Squirl. I don't think Jesus would have behaved that way, either.

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  14. Nick, that is a most thoughtful post...it made me think. I have lots of gay and lesbian friends. They are people, first and foremost. Their sexual preference is their business as far as I'm concerned.

    I have also known lots of homophobic people, but I don't stay around them for long. They're the ones with the problem.

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  15. that is such a beautiful song! and it is right -home is where the heart is...why have a definition of love? why the boundaries? what should matter is that there is love..

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  16. Noel Paul Stookey has put many of his songs in what is basically public domain.

    He didn't write this one but I bet no one will complain, especially since you credit both PP&M and the composer.

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  17. Hey Nick!

    Thanks for putting up the lyrics - I love them!

    Oh, and YEY! for I can comment on your blog - finally! (most probably because I'm at work, and shouldn't be doing this... :D)

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  18. I absolutely love the new look.

    *huggles*

    -N

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  19. I miss your posts Nick. I hope you are well...

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  20. Nick, is everything o.k? Miss your monday jokes.

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  21. I'm concerned Nick. I hope you are alright. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

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  22. Hmmm, the last time you went this long without a post was when Alex trashed your computer.

    I hope everything is okay. I'll say an extra prayer for you, just in case.

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  23. Nick, I hope all is well with you. It's been a few days without a post and I just hope that nothing is wrong.

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  24. Hey Nick - hoping you are well. Missing you and keeping you and yours in my prayers.
    xx
    pinks

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  25. Nick, haven't seen you in a while. Hope you're okay.

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  26. Hope you are ok "silentnick".
    May be forced to go into a church today to light a candle for you just in case.
    Hope I don't burst into flame

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  27. Nick...we're holding space for you...and keeping you in our prayerful thoughts.

    sending love...awaiting your return.

    xx

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