"Before I was born"
(collage painting on cardboard, 30X40, 2007)
"When we talk to God we are praying; when God talks to us, we are schizophrenic."
Lily Tomlin
"The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don't know what to do."
John Holt
One day I was imagining how I came into this world. I came up with the following scenario:
Me, dressed in organdy. I'm light blue and glowing. There is a white rose behind my ear. God, dressed in a perfectly tailored English suit, business-like and parental at the same time.
God: Are you sure you’re ready to go back?
Me: Yes, I’m sure.
God: Which level would you like to choose this time?
Me: Extreme.
God: I don’t think you’re ready for that.
Me: It’s worth a shot.
God: You realize that it means you’ll have to go through the whole range of feelings this time.
Me: I know what my objectives will be.
God: You might not be able to deal with them as well as you expect. Remember, that you’ll be in the dark. It means no memories from the past and very little help from me.
Me: I’m ready.
God: Well… If worse comes to worse you’ll always have a way out. Although, I don’t look favorably on people who take it and you won’t be given any credit for this lesson in case you decide to take it.
Me (impatiently): I know that! I can handle it! I’m ready!
God: OK. You have several choices: Peru, South Africa or Ukraine.
Me: Give me Ukraine. I haven’t been born in those parts yet. Being born in the Soviet Union could be interesting.
God agrees. I’m born.
