John P. Koza - Somebody Knows...

Copyright 2015 John P Koza

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc. 2015

ISBN 978-1-68139-070-3 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-68139-071-0 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Chapter One

In the Beginning

We all have the capability to perceive. When we were young, we usually looked to our elders. Many times, as we age, we become better at it; however, why do some appear better at it than others? I think it is time to look up the definition of perception. It is derived from the Latin word percipere and is defined as follows: 1.a. a result of perceiving, observation ; 1.b. a mental image, concept; 2. (obsolete) consciousness ; 3.a. awareness of the elements of environment through physical sensation (color perception ); 3.b. physical sensation interpreted in the light of experience; 4.a. quick, acute, and intuitive cognition, appreciation; 4.b. a capacity for comprehension. Thanks online dictionary! Perception is something that we all are born with , and as we age, we hone this craft.

When we were born, we were born with a relatively clean slate in our brains. There were probably some things that we knew or recognized ; no one really knows. Yet as we become older, we learn a multitude of things. Some things we remember while some we forget. Its amazing that we can remember the good stuff and forget the bad. Usually we forget things when we get into trouble. We spend a lifetime learning and forgetting things. No one can really tell what perception someone has; there is no one way to make someone be. No matter how much one tries, it cannot be done although many have tried. We as children are given the benefit of the doubt. We are given chances, yet we all know that some are given more chances than others. So where does it all end? How many chances are enough? Who is to say that youve had enough chances?

I begin to think of Matthew Bin. He was born in March of 1960 (March 10th to be exact). He was given the gift of life , yet his parents wanted to give him everything possible. Isnt that every parents desire? To provide their offspring something better than they had? Matthew was unaware of the Cold War, yet the older ones couldnt forget about it. Back then, everything was in turmoil. Everyone was worried about what those crazy Russians or Americans would do. In reality it all became a pissing contest, a war of words. It was one wherein everyone was of a Well, if theyre going to do this, then were going to do something kind of mentality; however if someone did something, the backlash could possibly end the world. Matt had no concern about this, for he was a newborn. The only thing he probably worried about was where his was next meal, or who would clean him up, or where he would sleep. Really, what is there for a child to worry about? They are taken care of and provided for by their parents. He wanted to be older, yet isnt that what everyones wishing? Yet when we grow older, dont we wish that we were younger?

Matt received a new bike when he was seven or eight after he won a betabout the Cubs winning a double header against the Piratesagainst his dad. He probably was going to get a bike anyway, yet his dad made a situation wherein he could win one. He remembers how giddy and happy he was when the Cubs won; he was going to get a new bike. His Dad had a neighbor put it together as he was good with putting bikes together for the neighborhood kids. Matt remembered it as a green Kent with streamers in the handle grips, which were quickly removedfor if anyone saw them, he would be branded as a wuss. Matt did not want to be known as a wuss because he had enough to worry about.

Chapter Two

Life Lessons

He had school to remember his life lessons that he wasnt even aware he was learning. We all learn things as we age, yet we are unaware that we are learning; it just happens. Yet sometimes we remember the lessons we have learned without even thinking; they just come out! We learn many life lessons as we age, and yet we remember them as adages or old folk tales, things that were forced upon us. We think that the old fogies are holding out on us. They do not allow us to have fun ; however, do we ever think that the old fogies were young at one time? Matt saw all old fogies at family gatherings, completing all the things that he was not to do such as smoking, drinking, and swearing. What a crock , Matt thought. When was he gonna be old enough to complete what the old fogies are able to do?

He hated growing older; he just wanted to do what they were able to do. Why did he have to wait? The older folks told him to wait, that one day he would understand; yet this waiting was going to harm him. But now as he has grown older, he realizes that they were right. His eyes were openedor was it his mind? He sees things differently now. Could it be that the aging process helped him to understand? Matt has thought about when he was young, how everything seemed so confusing, and how the old fogies had it so easy . He thought that all they do is have fun because they never seemed to have a care in the world; however he now realizes that as one ages, things become more complicated. He has some things to fret over, things that he never really understood. As he aged, he had more and more to worry about like rent, utilities, insurance, car notes, etc., items he wasnt concerned with as a lad because they were taken care of by the old fogies. They were now his problem because he was responsible for them. But did he realize as he was growing older and getting yelled at that it was a place for him to learn? It was just like a school, where he was always given homework and then was quizzed or tested on. Someone who he may or may not have known would always grade his work whether he knew about it or not. Life is full of surprises. As he ages, he will have children, and what lessons will he pass on? They may be the lessons he learned as a child. No one knows, yet somebodys watching.

Chapter Three

Options

Options. We were all given them since we were young , Matt thought; but why do some seem better than others? Is it perhaps because the old fogies in our lives had something to do with it? When we are born, we are hopefully given the choice to be treated as a person and not as an item or a thing. All people should be allowed to make choices and decisions whether they are good or bad. Hopefully someone will help us out if they are on the bad side, and normally they are someone who is older and trusted. We turn to them in our times of need. Matt thought that they may not have all the answers; however, they have something he hasnt gottenexperience. It can help us out more than we know. Maybe those old fogies are really good for something. They tell us old stories over and over, yet is there a chance these stories could mean something? Possibly by retelling these stories, we can learn something. Matt thought about that for awhile. What could he learn? Basically he learned about what is considered good and bad. There are many complexities involved in the decision-making process; however, Matt was lucky to be given an option in life. He was able to decide what could be good or bad. These are not easy decisions. They are made daily by everyone. Some can come out smelling like a rose or a pile of bull poop. He learned that life is a revolving door, what goes in can certainly come out later. Things dont always seem so good all the time; however if you have more good things on your side than bad, things have a tendency to work out for the best. Things dont always have to be good. There is a time and place for everything. All Matt knew was to save those good deeds for a rainy day, for one day, he might need to cash them in like bonuses in a video game. He knew somebody was watching. He just didnt know who.