Do you believe in curses?

[Dave Reynolds]

A long story to lead up to that question. When I was about 5 or so, my grandmother, who lived across the road, started feeding a stray cat. She had kittens, one of which was a nice calico cat we called Callie.

Callie was a sweet cat who lived through a lot of things, such as being shot and attacked by a dog.

My uncle, who lived next door to my grandmother, hated cats. His big thing was setting leg traps.

When Callie was 12 years old, she got into one of those. She came to me with a badly broken leg, which I tried to splint. After a week, the leg was very nearly falling off, and the cat was in pretty severe pain. She was still sweet, purring and grabbing my hand so she could wash my fingers, but the damn leg was falling off. My father told me that the cat needed to be put down, and I had to do it.

So, without going into those details, I put the poor cat out of her misery.

As I buried her, I was crying. I remember very clearly saying "Damn that bastard Clare" (the uncle). "I hope he dies a little bit at a time, and suffers like that poor cat".

Clare was later diagnosed with diabetes. He went through 3 different surgeries to amputate first a foot, then a leg, then the other leg. He died from complications.

I have never wished ill on a person again, just in case....

You may now cue the "Twilight Zone" music.

[Floogeldy]

1. Yes, I believe in them.

But I don't believe you cursed the uncle. You didn't use the correct rituals and go through the proper channels. ;)

[Dave Reynolds]

4. I used the Zelazny "Amber" novels ritual,

that a prince of Amber, while in extreme distress, would make a curse that always came true.

Okay, so I read to many strange books as a lad....

[JimmyJazz]

2. I don't believe in curses. But, I do know that some people

get what they deserve out of life and, for some reason, others don't. In your uncle's case, he got what he deserved. But, I don't think it's because a 12 year old boy cursed him.

With that being said, I believe that it is a good idea in general not to wish ill will on another. I think it's better to believe that someway, somehow, they will be judged for their actions, whether it be in this life or in some hereafter.

[Dave Reynolds]

5. He did get what he had coming,

and while I never wished ill on anyone since, I still do not feel bad about it in his case.

I would do it again today, even as an old bastid...

[JimmyJazz]

8. Again. I don't think you had anything to do with the demise of your uncle

In fact, I'll bet the old coot had really crappy eating habits and had other factors contributing to his diabetes. Call me psycho er...psychic, but I'd bet money on it. :)

[Floogeldy]

6. You're just not mean enough!

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[JimmyJazz]

7. A pox on your house, Floogeldy!

How was that? :silly:

[Fox Mulder]

3. Not at all.