SAINT GABRIEL POSSENTI

(PATRON SAINT OF GUN OWNERS)

By Peter Vuono

   In 1860,the Italian town of Isola del Gran Sasso, was violently disrupted by a group of marauding soldiers called "Red Shirts". These men were volunteer mercenaries in the Army of revolutionary Guiseppe Garibaldi and came to the town as brigands. They stole whatever they wanted and were engaged in assaulting and raping women.

   At about the same time, a young 21 year old monk-Gabriel Possenti- was returning home from a journey. Seeing what was happening, the young monk- who would die two years later from tuberculosis- asked his superior if he could attempt to quell the violence. He went alone as all others were terrified by the "Red Shirts".

   By 1860, two Remington six shooters had been developed in America. However, in Italy, the hand gun of choice was a single shot flintlock. Possenti, without hesitation darted and grabbed two flintlocks from two different mercenaries.

   Garibaldi's soldiers laughed him to scorn. Here was a 21 year old diminutive monk who never fired a pistol threatening them. As one soldier dragged a woman away with intentions of raping her, a small lizard  walked in front of Possenti and the mercenaries. He fired the pistol cutting the lizard in two.

   Although he had only one shot left, the soldiers knew that the next shot would be fatal given the expert and miraculous marksmanship. The woman was unhanded and Possenti, marched the soldiers to the border of the town and ordered them never to return which they obeyed.

    Saint Gabriel would die two years later at age twenty-three. A miracle had occurred where a brave soul saved  a town without violence with two deadly weapons. 

It's not my intention to take any weapon away from someone. Nor is it my intention to entice you into picking one up. However, saint Gabriel has shown us that if everything is done with prudence, the guidance of the Lord and the safety and welfare of others in mind, that miracles will happen and we will all never get lost.

" I will attempt day by day to break my will into pieces. I want to do God's holy will, not my own!"- Saint Gabriel Possenti

 

SUMMER GIRL

By Peter Vuono

Dedicated to the memory of my friend and student

Beverly Ann duCille Lovejoy 1/13/72- 2/23/21

     I just finished the book "F---Dying" by American Gladiator Dan Clark. I love books by tough guys with big hearts and Dan is definitely one of them. In one of the final chapters,Dan asks that each morning we wake up and think of any 3 positive things. So on July 1st I awakened and after thanking God for my health and still another day I thought back to July 1st 1988. I was teaching summer school English and really enjoyed the 15 years that I did it.

    My class in Y306 was filling and they kept sending kids up so that I worried about space.So, on this day a soft spoken girl came up who registered a little late. I asked if Mrs. Kerr sent her up and she smiled and said, "Yes". It wasn't just a smile, though. It radiated with kindness which filled the room not unlike the summer sun that shined through the window. I just knew that Bev was going to be a great student.

    She "ACED" every test, did every homework assignment and was hardly ever out. She was someone looked up to by the other kids.She wrote to me after the summer and I later found that after HS graduation and through no fault of anyone's, Bev would not receive any financial support to speak of from her folks. She worked hard at different jobs and specialized at taking care of kids(mine included), who all loved her. She even took on a position of a sitter/nanny at Otis Air Force Base for a family who she knew.

    It was at about this time the  teacher/ student roles completely switched. You see Bev taught me through her struggles a type of grit, determination and courage that I never had to attain. She was inspiring in her refusal to live on the streets and keep her head above water.

   I never gave any of my classes Walt Whitman but her efforts and inspiration mirrored Whitman's quote, "He most honors my style who learns under it to destroy the teacher". It was she who was teaching ME now.

   Serendipity took her to Florida where she met and married a kind hearted, hard working guy, Mike Lovejoy. Here again she took on a full time job and raised FIVE wonderful kids with Mike. Unfortunately, however, she took a demon with her to the Sunshine State which would fester.

   Here again Bev fought hard to keep from drowning but when alcoholism attacks a person physically who is already struggling to  be the best mom and wife she can be, it sometimes wins. Bev succumbed to a stroke in Feb. of 21. She came out of her coma long enough to say "Goodbye", but she, like so many before her, will not be forgotten.

   In Tich Nhat Hanh's book, the "Art of Living" he talks of a phenomena called "continuation". If one puts forth good memories for others to savor in life, he or she may pass but their memory will continue and never really pass away That is how I like to think of Bev and I will continue to do so every July1st from now to the end of days .

"GOD WILL NOT ASK US HOW ELEQUENTLY WE SPOKE BUT HOW WELL WE LIVED"- Venerable Matt Talbot- Patron to alcoholics.

ADDENDUM- I've also lost two other wonderful summer school souls: Oscar Mercado- football player, gentleman, master craftsman and gentle giant AND Audra Williams-  a soft spoken, kind, polite "A" student who was destined to be a great mom and person. May they remain securely in God's grace and Love

 HE'S NOT GONNA  ASK YA,"HOW MUCH YA BENCH?"

By Peter Vuono

     My son and I love martial arts but I have to say that my 1st love is an obscure sport called powerlifting. Powerlifting got me stronger, raised my self esteem and even got me a job. When my 1st two employers-Mr. Paul Phinney and Mr. Henry LaBranche- found out that I was a powerlifter, they thought I'd be a good example to the kids and hired me on the spot in 1976. It was there in Pelham that I would meet my wife, Diane.

    So, it did a lot for me but it stops there. You see any trophy, any award and any record that I made in the grand scheme of things is totally meaningless. Why? It's because I was placed here to be of service to my family, my friends and any stranger.

    About 35 years ago I attended a sermon in Easton, Ma. by Father Lucio Filipino. Father Lucio mentioned that sins of the flesh were merely human weaknesses and that at the judgement there would be a much more important question asked. Father Lucio said that we will be asked, "Who did you serve?" I never forgot it but it took too long to sink in.

   Two years later, I was in a check-out line at Shaw's. I was in the back of the line and an old acquaintance of mine, (a magician named Ronnie), was up front. Ronnie didn't see me but I saw what was happening. He only bought 4 items and his credit card maxed. He walked out quietly and dejectedly without his groceries.

   To this day, I don't know why I didn't buy them for him. I can't remember if I didn't have enough cash for the both of us, or if I didn't want to embarrass him or even if I didn't care enough, but I never forgot.

Now, I make a point to help anyone that needs it. It could be;

a senior citizen with too heavy a load to put in the car,

or a homeless guy who always asks me for a dollar(and gets it) at the entrance to Walmart,

or a person who simply needs to be listened to,

or a student who needs to get constantly complimented,

or a Dunkin Donuts girl who deserves a 50% tip because she is sometimes disrespected by customers,

or a cashier who needs a polite and hardy greeting to make her feel important,

or to hold a door at a store or business for someone,

or to open a door for someone,

and yes, to pay for groceries for someone who misjudged their funds!

Father Lucio was right; it is these things that count. The creator doesn't care about money, status, fame, touch downs, college degrees, cars, houses, jewelry,  how strong I am, how much I can deadlift or, how much can I bench!!

I now try to build up a treasure trove of good works as it is good for me and for mankind. I don't know what happened to Ronnie, but his presence taught me a lesson and I'm forever grateful to him and to Father Lucio. It's not how much I benched; it's "Who did I serve?".

 

"THAT GUY IS GREAT"

By Peter Vuono

Dedicated to my old friend Tom Wall

     I'm not a baseball fan. However, back in 1973, I went to a Red Sox game with my college friend Tom. We got really good seats and because we arrived early, we got to see the White Sox batting practice. Leading the practice was a coach who I had never seen. He had started coaching the White Sox after having played in the majors and coaching in Mexico. Everything went quietly and uneventfully  until practice was over.

     This coach took a bag of baseballs and started handing them out to all the young fans next to the 3rd base dugout. As if this wasn't enough, he started handing out several baseball bats. We had seen a ball here  and there given to the fans but not like this avalanche of gifts! It was at that moment that Tom exclaimed, "That guy is great!". I squinted to see the name on the back of the shirt. It read"Minoso".

    Minnie Manoso was from Cuba. He played in the Negro Leagues in 1946. In 48 he was taken on by the Indians and later with the White Sox. With the Sox he would have 8 seasons of batting .300 or better. He was an All-Star 7 seasons and a Golden Glove winner 3 seasons. He was the 1st Black Latino in the majors and the 1st Black to play for the White Sox. He was American League leader in stolen bases 3 times and the 2nd player to play in the majors for 5 decades .He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020. He passed in 2015.

    But STILL, the thing I remember and admire most about this guy was that act of kindness to kids that I'll never  forget  although it was 53 summers ago. So this author's question to the reader is this: When Minoso met his maker, what counted more; his being a super athlete or his acts of kindness and his love of kids?

   I'm not worthy to know what the Lord thinks or what judgement he made. However I'll bet that when judgement was passed it must have sounded something like "That Guy Is Great!".

    

 PFIZER,AND GOD: OR HOW I COPED WITH COVID

 By Peter Vuono

   On 2/10/22 I tested positive for Covid-19. It was just after my geriatrician gave me a completely clean bill of health with no temperature, no diabetes and good blood pressure. I was one of the few lucky ones who didn't get hit hard. I missed only one weight workout and never missed a cardio workout throughout. My symptoms were minor and I want to share with you why I think so.

   First and foremost is the vaccine. Are you aware that 900,000 of our fellow citizens have passed due to this disease nationwide? I'm 69. I've had open heart surgery and my body max index screams obese! If this isn't enough comorbidities, then I don't know what is; the walking dead perhaps? I had all three shots with no aftereffects following. Whoever that bodybuilder was in CA who wrote,"If your liver doesn't quiver, and your bladder doesn't splatter, take another shot because it just doesn't matter", the man was a genius in an odd sort of way!

  Next is my vitamin regimen. I didn't just take them as a quick fix. For the last two years I've been preparing for battle and my daily regimen looks like this: Vit C 3000mgs, B-12 50mcgs, Vit E- 100I.U, Zinc-50 Mgs., Magnesium-250Mgs., Melatonin- 1Mg., Glucosamine-2000mgs., Fish Oil- 2,000Mgs., Boron- 30Mgs., Tongkat Ali-850Mgs., Maca-50Mgs., Turmeric- 200Mgs., Saw Palmetto- 1400Mgs.,Iron- 30Mgs. I may have left a few out but at this point it doesn't matter. For decades I've tried through my nutrition to strengthen the immune system and I'm certain this helped but I honestly don't know how much.

  Two of my doctors pooh,pooh Vitamin C. Humans, gorillas, chimps, the fruit bat and some birds cannot synthesize this vitamin. According to double Nobel Prize winner- Dr. Linus Pauling- vitamin C decreases the amount of lipoprotein-a in the system which contributes to increasing plaque in the body. It DOES strengthen your cardio-vascular system. So what about my open heart surgery you ask?

  My disease was passed down through blood lines. I started lifting weights again 2 weeks after I got out of the hospital.

  If you're a guy make sure that both your free and total testosterone levels are optimal. This is done through a blood test. If your "T" levels are low, an endocrinologist can help you obtain optimal levels. This is imperative for keeping healthy in so many ways. Too little testosterone can lead to cardio-vascular disease among other things. I've been monitoring my levels for over a decade.

  Finally, I believe that my personal faith has helped. In our religion, we believe that saints can intercede and further petition God along with our personal requests. If you don't believe,  that's cool, but there is no viable explanation I can give.Saint Roch of France is the patron of dogs and epidemics. It's NOT Saint Corona as many believe. He was a wealthy nobleman who gave it all up to fight plague in Italy. When he contracted it, he ostracized himself to the woods where a hunting dog found him and brought food every day! I've been petitioning him ever since the virus hit the USA.

  You may think that this is all quite out of the ordinary and abnormal. I gave up normalcy in 73 when I became a powerlifter. Besides, didn't the scarecrow say in the Wonderful World of Oz that "It is the unusual people that deserve consideration in this world"?

  With the exception of the vaccine these are unusual means indeed but if anything I've said gives you either help or hope for a better and healthier tomorrow than I am most pleased. God speed.

 "  HEALTH IS THE GREATEST GIFT"- BUDDHA

 BROUGHT BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

For Danny Derito- 11/26/50-12/8/21

By Peter Vuono

   Years ago, I wanted to write a  fictional tale about a comedian, who after having a heart attack was brought back to life because young comedians were copying his jokes so frequently. In the ending, the comedian's widow met her husband at a club reincarnated. He proceeded to introduce her to famed comedians under their real names such as Julius Henry Marx and Milton Berlinger. I realized that this is not so far fetched after all when I read Thich Nhat Hanh's "The Art of Living".

   In this book, Hahn, a Buddhist Monk,  mentions that none of us really dies because of a phenomena called "continuation". When one sees a cloud, it slowly dissipates but it then changes to rain falling to earth and then continuing above in the water cycle.

   If my students remember anything about me they will remember many laughs and perhaps facts that I taught them. I still mourn the passing of my friend and magician Don Savoie However, I still do many tricks that Don taught me. Therefore, Don's body is gone but his memory remains forever. This is what made me think of a dear school friend-Danny Derito who recently passed before Christmas at a young age.

  Danny and I were good friends in the 70's at Massasoit Community College. We dined together, went to restaurants together, visited friends together and were on an intramural hockey team together. More than anything, I remember Danny's perpetual warmth and humor. He was so funny, that even now, 47 years later I STILL use his jokes.

  Before Danny became self employed he was working maintenance at a popular restaurant. I walked in one evening and he was arranging the flower pots and floral arrangements.  He immediately exclaimed, "Look at this, they've made me the plant manager".

  At an awards ceremony that I attended at school, Danny was, of course the MC. He was dressed to the nines in a new tuxedo. Half way through the ceremony, Danny announced, "I'm terribly sorry for the way I'm dressed, my tailor had the flu". There were dozens like this that I still use today.

  Thich Nhat Hanh, was right; although I mourn the absence of Danny's corporeal self, his warmth and jokes remain in my heart and mind and it is there that I frequently visit him. This will hold true also of all your friends, loved ones and inspirations who have passed. They are not truly dead; they live on in your memory and in  your heart. They  will ALWAYS  be brought  back by popular demand.

"THE KEY TO IMMORTALITY IS BY LIVING A LIFE WORTH REMEMBERING"- Bruce Lee

 PEOPLE WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

TITLE BY MAYA  ANGELOU

STORY BY PETER VUONO

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF VIET NAM VET/ART TEACHER BILL ALLEN-1944-2021

        Just a short time ago, one of my son's favorite teachers-art teacher Bill Allen- passed on. Bill was a courageous Viet Nam vet but always talked in quiet calming tones. It was almost as if he was a close follower of Buddha or Lao Tzu. One June day in 2006, Bill had a meeting with my wife and me about my son, Mike. I honestly can't remember the specifics but I vividly remember the quiet, sincere complimentary remarks Bill made about my son. I NEVER  forgot the feeling that this gave me and now, after Bill's passing, the meeting reminded me so much of Maya Angelou's quote , "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel"

        Bill's kindness brought me back to a wonderful gesture that I experienced in the late 70's. One of my Down's Syndrome students-Patty encountered  the towering Phys. Ed. dept. chair Don Vanderstreet who at 6"6" was an imposing figure with a heart of gold. Patty and Mr. Vanderstreet spoke briefly, both smiling widely. When Patty got back, I asked her,"What did you and Mr. Vanderstreet talk about, Patty?". To this, she answered, "Nice Things". Although Patty's disability kept her from remembering the dialogue, like Maya Angelou said; she remembered how she felt when finished.

      Finally, this brought me back to an incident that I, as a young kid, never forgot in 1967. My family and I were friendly with pro wrestler Tony Altomare; a super guy in his own right. While at the 4 Seasons Arena in Walpole Ma for some matches, we met with Tony who took me in the locker room to meet the legends.They were all playing cards and the fan favorite "baby face" ignored me. However imagine my delight when the 350lb. "heel" Jesse"Bull" Ortega, stopped the game, stood in my presence, shook my hand while smiling from ear to ear and signed an autograph. Mr. Ortega would pass away at the age of 44 but I never forgot how he made me feel!

   There are so many other incidents that I could cite but I think that you, the reader, can see where I'm going here. Mother Teresa said, "Do small things with great love". Starting with my former colleague Bill Allen, I remember these wonderful memories  and I'm reminded that they happened so that I would go and do likewise and spread good feelings which will in turn propagate  with so many others.