8-26-06
Dear Daniel,
Howdy doodie soldier man. This is your mom. It's 22:52 Saturday, August 26th. I'm missing you at this moment.
You know how I like to gamble? Well, 13 nights ago, I went to Casino San Pablo. I told myself that if I won $100.00, I'd stash it away along with the money I brought to play. I'd gamble with whatever was left over unless I hit the big one. In that case, I'd buy tickets for the family to come out to you in a few weeks. Right away I won over $200.00. So I stashed the 100 note away. I kept going up and down winning probably 200, 6 times.
There had been some women, whom I'll refer to as jackals, that bothered me, begging in various ways, getting way too demanding and personal. I reported them and asked for security to escort me out when I "felt" like going.
The women are part of a gang who pick victims, call in vehicle descriptions to nearby cars and dispatch them to follow the intended victims. I was followed to my salon and a gunman caught me as I was doing garbage duty and talking to Dad on the cell phone. He made a wide sweep around my backside; something told me to face him, so I did. He hit me over the head a few times and my left arm went up. He launched backwards then flew forward into my right fist which caused him to slip and fall. On his way down, I screamed into the cell, "Ron he's got a gun. He's got a gun, Ron!"
He cussed, ripped my phone out, stomped on it while I made a move away from him. He lunged again only to get my knee in his neck and sternum. I jumped into the salon pulling the door toward me. He grabbed it and said, "Oh no you don't."
With that, I slammed the door and bolted it. "Oh, yes I do!"
I got to Judith's phone, dialed 911 and as I spoke to the dispatcher, one person was banging and shaking my back door while another was shaking and beating on my glass front door with a metal object.
There's a lot more to this event, son--a lot. Bottom line Soldier, two of us lived that day--the gunman and me.
The irony is that I won $140.00 total and that's what my cell phone, smokes, and coffee cost me. Digthis. I won what the casino could never give me--my life.
So, I guess I won't be making graduation. I was hoping to be blessed with enough to at least send your Dad to join you. He's holding up pretty well, but he misses you. He says, "STFU, NUB." He is real nervous about Jesse and me, our habits, especially since the "incident."
Daniel? I'm going to lay it on the line. That wasn't me who raised my arms and knee. Indulge me. Usually, while talking with folks, I "feel" the presence of the Lord. God is all around me and I glow inside with a quiet joy. But when the gunman approached, I was 100% earth--all instinct. Inside me there was Peace, almighty Peace. I didn't feel the presence of God outside me for I was too earthy in instinct but the divine was inside me. That gunman was having the dickens of a time keeping his footing and control of his gun. It was a silver semiautomatic, by the way. My moves were the moves of the Divine--total precision. Please remember what I've spoken to you about pertaining to God.
I have a living faith, son. God abides in spite of my imperfections and sins and I know I've got a purpose in this, my life. I'm not nor ever have been traditional in any sense. You've always known that. My faith isn't because of the words of man. The Holy Spirit is my guide. That's how it's always been with me. Expect me to impress this upon you, one adult to another, mother to son, my spirit to yours. So, enough said for now about that.
The incident was early Monday morning. Over the following days, several people around the bay area were followed home from the local casinos, beaten and mugged by gunman. Wednesday, a 67-yr-old man was followed home from an Emeryville card room, mugged, shot and killed.
Some Remain--Some Depart. God's time, not ours.
While the mercy of man is good, it cannot be counted on.
Selah (or at least think about it)
In a way, the life of a soldier is good. It isn't plagued by circumstances. Civilian life, at this time, is fraught with some serious testing. I'm not saying that I envy you but you should know that I appreciate your choice.
I dug your letter and saved it. That makes 2 now and 1 from your commander. Commanders have a set pattern when speaking to civilians. (I'll be sure to commit that pattern to my memory.)
I wish I could talk to you in person. I do in my spirit. I've got some promising news for you, but I'm going to wait for a few more months to tell you. It's like having a baby; keep quiet for the 1st trimester. Only, this baby is a really fantastic project.
I also wish we could be a part of your graduation--the graduation also of your peers. It's a moving ceremony, I'm told. My gosh, son; it won't be long now. I hope you get the orders you desire, all of you. There is so much you can do. Each of you bring something to the mission. I'm amazed at the vision you share.
Well, I can go on forever.
Love,
Mom. (chelle stockman)
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