Backbone       As I grew up I learned the need for a good posture. Unlike some, I didn’t listen to advise when it came to my poise. I didn’t have a good posture until later in life when my back started to hurt. It happened occasionally for long periods, with no relief. So the reality set in that their advice was for my own welfare, above and beyond the simple terms of appearance. It took me many years to perfect my posture since I grew threw my youth with no discipline in this area.   Meanwhile I see people like me who refused to head people’s advice. I also feel a new sense of compassion when I see the handicapped people who are incapable of maintaining a good posture. I’ve learned to like my backbone. It has become an apparent blessing to be in good health. Actually, I don’t just like my backbone; I love it. I love that I can stand strait. I love that my strength and posture rely totally on its support. It’s regrettable and jarring to see people without a spine like mine. They try to stand up properly, but can’t. It’s almost painful to watch. Some are incapacitated and weak. They are only able to take a little pressure before they cave.     The spine I’m referring to isn’t bone; rather it is made of paper and glue. The glue isn’t some sticky substance that holds paper together. The glue is an undefeatable truth. If the words in it meant anything different, this book that speaks of times as old as 10,000 years couldn’t have survived 3,500 of them. My posture depends on this spine because it allows me to stand up strait. It is unfortunate to see people without this spine. The pressure eventually gets to them and they collapse. People who don’t rely on the spine may stand up to the pressures in the world, but one day the pressure will become unbearable unless the people find relief.   I love my spine, because God gave it to me. I love God and He loved me first. © 2004 Kai Napohaku