Comments for www.larrypatten.com

Comment on Intimate and Affectionate by Larry

Larry — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:56:59 +0000

Thanks Bruce. I agree with you about “different” name perceptions and reactions. But, however we perceive names, I suspect each person has a boatload of stories about where their name came from, or why a particular nickname emerged…

Comment on Intimate and Affectionate by Bruce W. Marold

Bruce W. Marold — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:51:11 +0000

Yes, names are important, although I suspect if you asked two or three different audiences, you would get two or three different answers. If you asked my mother’s generation or thereabouts, they would probably suggest that your name says something about where you came from. Based on that reasoning, I have no idea where my Scottish based name connected with my Austria-Hungary / Pennsylvania Dutch background, except that it was near the end of WW II, and Germanic names were probably not that popular. Well, it could be worse. I could have ended up with a French name. Of course, if you are Catholic of that generation, you will have two middle names, like my father, who was Alexander Paul Thomas Marold. Thomas, I think, was based on the name of St. Thomas, the apostle. Didn’t work for him, but he must have passed that philological inclination on to me without realizing it.
If you ask college educated people of my generation, especially if they happened to take a course in 20th century philosophy, they may start reciting Wittgenstein, and say that personal names are all used in pretty much the same way, and are the best example of the denoting quality of names, as a given name, in principle, refers to a single person.
If you ask modern kids, you will probably get the preference to ascribe a name to oneself, sort of like self-baptism. The name may be a mystery to others, but it is really meaningful to oneself (I simply do not understand the popularity of canine based names of rap artists.)
If the audience is modern Foucault / Derrida inspired literary types, there is a chance they will say that the meaning of a name changes every time it is used. I don’t talk to many of them…much.

Comment on See Jane Run… by Larry

Larry — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:41:35 +0000

Thanks Bruce. I thought you might “plunge” into the Right/Center reasons and disagreements about baptism. Always appreciate your insights!

Comment on My Father’s Hands by Larry

Larry — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:39:56 +0000

Hey Tammy…you are welcome! (Yup, Ms. Kirkwood is my younger sister…it’s her in the black & white photo.)

Comment on See Jane Run… by Bruce W. Marold

Bruce W. Marold — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:15:14 +0000

In seminary, we never touch on when Jesus became Christ or when he became divine or if those are the same thing Or even if this is a very important question. Generally because there is insufficent evidence for any of those answers The only thing we can profess with reasonable certainty based on the New Testament is that while he walked the earth, he was fully human, and after his resurrection, he was fully divine.
I won’t risk boring anyone with the well-known reasons for Right / Center denominations doing infant baptisms. The Lutherans do it becuase the child has no say in the matter of whether God’s spirit is with them, and they shall be redeemed. That’s already determined. Luther also continued doing it because it had been done for 1500 years that way, and no one was about to say all those people are damned.
What puzzles me is that it is so rare for someone to request to reinact their baptism, the same way married couples renew their vows. I can guess all the counter-arguments, but then my church conducted a wedding (same sex) which did not have the blessing of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. But we did it anyway. The call of the spirit can often run counter to both church and state.

Comment on My Father’s Hands by Tammy Kirkwood

Tammy Kirkwood — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:21:25 +0000

Larry,
Thank you so much for your precious words. I was able to sit down and read this without tears blinding my sight and treasure every word and image. Love you!!

Comment on My Father’s Hands by Larry

Larry — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:42:35 +0000

Kathy, if any of my words provided comfort, I am grateful and humbled. Thank you!

Comment on My Father’s Hands by Kathy Symes

Kathy Symes — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:53:29 +0000

Larry thank you for putting into words some of the pain I, too, am feeling. I have a similar ‘hands’ picture from the day of my father’s death on Jan. 11 of this year. The pain is still fresh and your words were a sweet comfort I needed!

Comment on My Father’s Hands by Larry

Larry — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:14:24 +0000

Thanks for your comments, Holly. And it’s wonderful to hear about your daughter’s good work with dementia patients.

Comment on My Father’s Hands by holly hillman

holly hillman — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:26:01 +0000

Larry I am SO glad I took the time to read your ever so honest thoughts about your Father and life and memories and the dementia. What a wonderfully gifted writer you are! Our daughter worked with 12 patients on a dementia ward. She poured her heart and soul into each one and continually implored the other workers to cherish each one as Beloved by God. When she decided she needed to resign, she shared her reasons with each patient whether they seemed to hear or not. Before her last day each person experienced a moment of clarity and each expressed how grateful they were for her exquisite care. She felt as though she was standing on holy ground as they cited specific acts she had done that she had not thought were even noticed, let alone remembered. I share this with you, Larry, because even though your father was not able to squeeze your hand, I believe with all of my heart he deeply treasured your loving presence and was filled with the same warm glowing memories. Shalom to you and your family as you manuever through this new season in all of your lives.