The Hammer TImes: LOU733COP Interview, Issue 28

Editor's Note:

 I've been working on forgiveness lately.  I hadn't really read Lou's answers until I started putting this interview together earlier, but while reading her answers, I was "prodded" into some clarity about a few of the things I've been pondering.  Sometimes, the answer is simple...Einstein once said that's when God is answering.  I guess I just needed help "being still" and listening.  -  RH

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.-- Mahatma Gandhi

Everyone has some skill/ability/knowledge that they are proud of AND that they are good at (or even not so good at). What skill/ability/knowledge is that for you? What have you done to pass that skill/ability/knowledge on to others that are not part of your family?

LOU733COP:

I am a musician.  I play the12 string guitar and took lessons from my parish priest around 29 years ago.  In the beginning I didn't practice as much as I should have because my fingers would hurt a lot.  Then one time I was informed I was almost ready to play at a Mass so then I decided to devote more time to practicing.  One day I practiced 6 hours.  I really enjoyed learning and playing.  There is great healing in music.  One day my parish priest informed me that he would no longer be teaching and he put me in charge.  I was thrilled at this opportunity.  It does no good if you have a gift and don't share it.  I also can play the autoharp which is a very small harp that fits in your lap and has a heavenly sound.

LOU733COP:

Hmmm a fully paid trip to anywhere in the world?  Would I be flying first class? lol  Well I would love to go back to Las Vegas.  I haven't been there in years and I definetly would love to go back to Vegas. Now as for what would I do there?  Gamble of course and I would definetly love to play in the WSOP.  I know keep dreaming.  Well a girl can dream can't she.  That would be the "ultimate trip".

Of all the great spiritual/philosophical leaders, who do you most admire and why ?... can be anything from Judge Judy to Jesus, Gandhi to Dr. Phil.

LOU733COP:

It would definetly have to be Jesus because I don't know where I would be today without Jesus.  I have epilepsy and am under control.  I use to have 20 seizures per day and I have not had a seizure in 3+ years so I am grateful for all Jesus has done for me.  Next I truly admire my great Aunt Josie.  She is an amazing and remarkable woman.  She is 95 and presently in the hospital as she fractured her shoulder and hip while brushing her teeth.  The doctors did not expect her to pull through the surgery but she is one tough cookie and she fooled them.  She has lost a baby, a son due to a drug overdose, her husband and then she lost her daughter to cancer.  My great aunt has never said "why me God".  For all that she has been through she keeps her faith.  Over 30 years ago she was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of a grapefruit (MRI showed it).  We all prayed and the day of surgery they did another MRI right before they were to shave her head and the tumor was gone.  I tell you she is a woman of great faith and I love her dearly.

What person do you "trust" the most in your life and explain why?

LOU733COP:

That would have to be my mom.  She has always been there for me and gives me good advice.  We are best friends.  Sometimes I do things on my own only to wish I had listened to her and taken her advice.  A good learning lesson for me tho'.

If you could be someone else for a moment, and meet yourself for the first time...what would you like about YOU?

LOU733COP:

I believe if someone got to know the real me they would see that I have alot of love in my heart as well as a big heart.  I love to give rather than receive.  There is a saying that goes love isn't love until you give it away.  Love is not meant to hold on to, it is meant to be share with family, friends etc.  The greatest gift of all is love...

LOU733COP:

Good question.  I would hope to set an example for my 2 nephews and let them know how very important school is as well as getting good grades.  Also to let them know that we will make mistakes in life and the important thing is to learn from our mistakes. 

A few years ago my youngest nephew got in trouble which was so out of character for him.  I was shocked when I found out what he had done.  Could not believe it.  I had a talk with him and told him I did love him and always would but did not like what he did.  I said I hope he would never ever do that again.  I do believe he learned his lesson.  I believe it is important for all of us to set good examples for our youth.

Let's say you just won 2.5 million dollars in the lotto. You find out a week later that you have 6 months to live your life. What things would you do before you die? Tell me your bucket list....

LOU733COP:

First I would want to make sure that my 2 nephews are well taken care of.  Set up a trust fund for them.  Next I would also make sure my family is taken care of.  Then I would definetly give to some worthwhile charities.  Finally I would like to do some traveling and spend as much time as possible with the people I love.

LOU733COP:

Wow great question Kim.  Many years ago my next door neighbor who was a Christian hurt me real bad.  I didn't tell anyone for fear I would be blamed for this incident.  I finally ended up telling my mom.  I hated this man for what he had done to me and due to the hatred in my heart my seizures skyrocketed.  There's the proof of what unforgiveness will do to you.  My grandmother begged me and pleaded with me to forgive.  Finally I said I would forgive but I would not forget.  Then I realized the two go hand in hand.  Still I could not forgive but I couldn't forget.  Finally one day as fate would have it I had to go to a funeral and to my shock he was there.  Omg now what do I do?  I had decided that this was the time to forgive.  I approached him and told him I forgave him and we cried and hugged each other.  I have learned no matter how hurt you are to always forgive and forget for you will be truly blessed if you do.  Don't we all want to be blessed?  I know I do.  My policy is forgive and love.

What is something that makes you smile or laugh every time you think about it? Tell us the story….

LOU733COP:

LOU733COP:

Name one person in your life who has influenced you the most in becoming the person you are today, and in what ways?

LOU733COP:

That would have to be my grandmother.  She instilled in me how important it is to love, forgive as well as forget.  If you forgive but don't forget you haven't truly forgiven because you are still hanging on to it.  Unforgiveness will eat you up like a cancer and literally destroy you so I have learned to be more like my grandmother and even tho it may take awhile I will forgive.  There is no room for unforgiveness in my heart.

Being a member of Railbirds.com has many benefits, and offers everyone who joins a chance to gain something for their time spent here, and it also provides many ways to give something back to the community. As an active Railbird, what would you advise new members to consider doing after they join Railbirds, to balance the give and receive, and therefore get the most satisfaction out of being a member?

LOU733COP:

Take advantage of all that Railbirds has to offer by reading all the informative blogs out there.  There is so much more to railbirds than just freerolls and tourneys.  I would encourage new members to start by reading the FAQ section, make friends.  There are so many informative blogs as to how to better your poker skills if we would take the time to just search and read them.  There is so much info out there for newbies as well as us oldies.  I would tell them to read and keep reading.  You can never learn enough!

One Last "Guest Question" From:

PearlJamJV!

(Go Check Out PearlJamJV's Interview, also!)

PearlJamJV Hammer Times Interview

PearlJamJV

LOU733COP: