The Cartoon in question is displayed on Facebook by Mother Lode of Warm Fuzzies. An otter and a priest are sitting on a park bench and the otter is explaining his understanding of the often-quoted words of Christ. The otter displays in his innocence the modus operindi of many of us as we feel good about ourselves and our magnanimous charity towards others. We look around us and attempt to see the folks who are in need and who we can reach out to…and more often than not they look and act like us…

The House of Representatives has a new Speaker. Upon first blush, he seems very reasonable. But his speech identifies him as a gentleman who identifies God’s will God’s people and God’s church in a narrow rendition of his particular fundamentalist dogma. Now if you are of those self-same beliefs you are comforted your heart is warmed and your soul is fed. But…how do you feel if you are not? The founders of our country and the authors of our Constitution based on their belief that church and state must be separate. Indeed they had experienced religious persecution and being a part of the government’s church.

Looks are deceiving. Words are suspect.

‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: God, I thank you that I am not like other people… robbers, evildoers, adulters…or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, God have mercy on me, a sinner.’

‘Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat…would you please put a penny in the old man’s hat. If you haven’t got a penny a hay penny will do…if you haven’t got a hay penny…God Bless You!’ This verse Neva J would sing all of November and December each year. She laughed joyously as she sang and at the same time set upon fulfilling the verses admonition. Neva J sought neither fame nor fortune and did her good works where no one could see. She sought not those who were like her but rather the marginalized the untouchable and the unwanted. If society ignored you…Neva J loved you.

Rosie was small in stature and a rotund woman. She wore Moo Moos exclusively. Several of her teeth were out but there was one in the middle that was on prominent display. Rosie talked to herself a little and periodically answered as well. Rosie loved JFK and Neva J loved Rosie. Neva J helped Rosie pay her bills gave her money and took her to Eldorado to do her shopping and to our house for the holidays. Neva J was as proud to be seen with Rosie as if she were the President of the United States…

One Eye had a terrible nickname and a scarf permanently on her head and the reputation of being a gypsy. She was shunned by society. She did have one eye and she was set apart to mock and scrutinize. No one took an interest in her until Neva J. People said that she stank…but she did not. People said that she was crazy…but her observations were more professorial and spot-on than most people in the little community. Her name was Abigail and she was a sweet person who would do anything for Neva J.

Mrs. Westbrook was called the Cat Lady. She had 100 cats and she loved them all. When people saw her they would walk on the other side of the street…but not Neva J. Neva J became Mrs. Westbook’s friend. She lived on the underside of Eldorado and knew not of the society of the community. Mrs. Westbrook heard voices but she peacefully communed with them. She was alone and afraid until Neva J became her friend. Mrs. Westbook soon found homes for many of her Cat Family and with Neva J’s help cleaned up her home and had a Thanksgiving dinner with her friend and Billy B.

The smallest of towns has a pecking order. The villages and the hamlets have the Sears measurement of…Good…Better, and Best. Of course, some are poor challenged, or marginalized who do not ascend to this scale and are forgotten.

Have you ever been forgotten? Have you ever been the last person chosen to play on a team in school?