Thanks John - I saw it too right away! If you're interested I copied/pasted local readers' comments, taken today during a poll....many say it's Christ/Jesus, Mother Mary or Mother Theresa, or even John Lennon. One said it's Bill Clinton! Others are skeptical (like my husband but he didn't post). Another says there are two images, the large one and then another in the right eye. My eyesight isn't that great anymore, I don't see the second, smaller image. Some say it's just a yellow ribbon and this is a waste of time. All I know is it gave me chills to see the image. I think I need to drive out to this tree now.....
Poll Comments :
The Almighty speaks in mysterouis ways!
7/28/2004 7:42:56 AM
I do see a face but I also believe someone altered the ribbon to show a face. I would hope people do not glamourize this situation and forget to focus on the real matter at hand which is bringing this young man home.
7/28/2004 7:44:17 AM
I believe the texture of the tree causes the illusion of a face.
7/28/2004 7:50:55 AM
It gave me the chills!
7/28/2004 7:52:12 AM
God sees each of our faces too. Deeper than that, He sees our hearts. GOD BLESS THE USA
7/28/2004 7:56:07 AM
I was going to the picture being skeptic but as soon as the picture enlarged...there the face was staring back at me.
7/28/2004 8:15:24 AM
This is a typical example of people seeing what they want to see, where nothing actually exists. Instead of spending time on something like this, people would do better to constructively help people around them.
7/28/2004 8:15:42 AM
Those who believe God and believe in God, may see the face of Jesus, but the word of God clearly states that when we see the face of Jesus, we shall then be like him. I do believe that the texture of the tree and the ribbon against it shows a "face like" image, but not necessarily the face of Jesus.
7/28/2004 8:23:56 AM
YES, I WENT LAST NIGHT AND YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE MARKINGS ON THE RIBBON. AT ANY ANGLE IT EVEN LOOKS LIKE THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.
7/28/2004 8:34:33 AM
If you have faith and you believe then it is a sign and a reassurance Matt will return to his family safely
7/28/2004 8:39:42 AM
It looks like an alien from the X-Files or maybe the computer in a Batman cartoon. But what it really looks like is wrinkles in a ribbon. Give me a break.
7/28/2004 8:41:33 AM
I see it plainly. I hope this provides some comfort to Matt''s mother. As a mother, I cannot imagine being in her place. God Bless to the entire Maupin family.
7/28/2004 8:48:32 AM
I see the face but it does not look like anyone in particular. It could be Christ, it could be Matt (that''s who my Mother thinks it is, but we still believe he''s alive so that does not really make sense - to us that is) So, Yes I do see a face in the ribbon.
7/28/2004 8:49:54 AM
depends on the view,you are reaching.
7/28/2004 8:52:49 AM
I hope that Matt comes home safely, and think that with his face in this ribbon it''s a sign of his well being!
7/28/2004 9:06:06 AM
Why is it that people always come to this conclusion about something that possibly looks like a face? Why him, anyway? It gets more silly with each such "appearance."
7/28/2004 9:19:12 AM
What I see is apparently plastic clinging to a tree. Not the face of Christ.
7/28/2004 9:21:06 AM
Orie Ray is the best photographer in the whole wide world.
7/28/2004 9:22:18 AM
I see a face but one of jesus I don't know
7/28/2004 9:30:34 AM
I see the face...it is looking down toward the ground with a very sad look.
7/28/2004 9:31:14 AM
YES, IS THIS A SIGN FROM GOD??
7/28/2004 9:32:31 AM
I looked at the picture before even reading the article and I right away saw the face and the first thing that came to my mind was..."Jesus is watching over Matt Maupin and keeping him safe" It gave me peace of mind. I am a Marine Wife and although I do not know the Maupin family, my prayers are with them all.
7/28/2004 9:42:41 AM
wow lights camera and surroundings do alot of illusions and i see people have faith in our god
7/28/2004 9:42:54 AM
Whatever I fell like I want to see Gosh! - Napoleon Dynamite
7/28/2004 9:43:32 AM
I''m not a very religious person, and I got chill bumps when I looked at that picture
7/28/2004 9:47:30 AM
what next
7/28/2004 9:51:07 AM
Maybe Jesus loves White Castles, too.
7/28/2004 9:51:49 AM
but I think it looks like John Lennon
7/28/2004 9:57:38 AM
I see shadows that look like a face. If Jesus Christ wanted to appear on a ribbon in po-dunk Clermont County, why wouldn't he just save Matt Maupin?
7/28/2004 10:07:54 AM
people in crisis and hard times sometimes let their imaginations invent comforting things
7/28/2004 10:09:38 AM
Why are you wasting time on this?
7/28/2004 10:10:59 AM
Yes, I see a face in the ribbon, but who's to say it is the face of Jesus. Who knows what Jesus looks like?
7/28/2004 10:14:31 AM
ISN'T GOD AWSOME!!
7/28/2004 10:20:35 AM
Clear as a bell!
7/28/2004 10:23:32 AM
God bless Matt. God bless America.
7/28/2004 10:24:49 AM
Could be my mind playing tricks on me, but it seems to be a face in the ribbon. Now whose face, I don't know, but you can see the formation of eyes and a nose.
7/28/2004 10:28:52 AM
I immediately saw the impression of a face.
7/28/2004 10:30:09 AM
I even asked my 12 year old. I didn''t tell him the story I just asked him if he noticed anything about the photo he looked a minute and said Yea, there is a face in the ribbin around the tree.
7/28/2004 10:33:32 AM
THAT IS SO COOL
7/28/2004 10:35:24 AM
I saw the face right off. I even asked my 12 year old. I didn't tell him the story I just asked him if he noticed anything about the photo he looked a minute and said Yea, there is a face in the ribbin around the tree.
7/28/2004 10:36:00 AM
Peek-a-boo! From God!
7/28/2004 10:37:11 AM
Don't usually put too much stock in this sort of thing, but saw the image as soon as I enlarged the photo. My immediate reaction was, "Oh, my God!"
7/28/2004 10:46:31 AM
Yes, I see 2 eyes and a nose, but it could be the face of anyone with 2 eyes and a nose, unless Jesus is the only one with those features. You might as well say you saw the face of Oprah in the tree.
7/28/2004 10:50:25 AM
I see the face of Jesus, he is telling us to hold fast and pray. I can't wait for the celebration when Matt Maupin comes home to Clermont County!
7/28/2004 10:51:22 AM
After reading the comments, I have something to say! I saw the ribbon in person, my four year old told me he saw a face without any coaching! For those of you who don''t believe, that's one of the freedoms our troops our fighting for (freedom of speech or opinion) and for those of us who do see something spirtual(Jesus or Mary) It''s a really bright spot in an area (clermont County) where we have had the loss of Hero Chuck Kiser and Captured (but coming Home!) Matt Maupin. If it brings hope to a Mother of a missing soldier, and a community praying so hard and working to support our troops, I say thank you Jesus for putting a bright spot and letting me know your right here with us!!!!!!!GOD BLESS AMERICA
7/28/2004 11:05:16 AM
Hey, I saw the face of Jesus in my oatmeal this morning. Where are the news cameras?
7/28/2004 11:07:43 AM
SAW IT RIGHT AWAY. IT LOOKS LIKE THE WAY I THINK JESUS CHRIST LOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/28/2004 11:21:23 AM
You can see two eyes and a nose. You can see the shaded area under eyes best.
7/28/2004 11:23:32 AM
It looks very similar to a Barn Owl face.
7/28/2004 11:34:14 AM
I do see a face, but I think it is merely a coincidence, nothing more.
7/28/2004 11:36:51 AM
I see the face of Jesus.
7/28/2004 11:37:01 AM
Channel 9 should be ashamed of themselves for even bringing such a frivolous story to the community''s attention. Matt Mauphin''s family is under enough stress and doesn''t need this nonsense to further aggravate it. You should think of how you would feel if this happened to one of your family members. Find some REAl news to report about!
7/28/2004 11:42:51 AM
I'd like to know the average education level of those who really think they see a face
7/28/2004 11:44:44 AM
YOU SEE WHAT YOU WANT TO BELEIVE.
7/28/2004 11:47:54 AM
There is definitely part of a face in this ribbon. It appears to be the top of a Madonna sculpture. Mary, praying for her son? I don't know - but that was my first reaction. Rather moving, too, this image. So many millions of us, praying for Matt and all the soldiers. A divine response to let us know that we are not alone in our prayers? God keep this soldier - comfort and strengthen him and his family.
7/28/2004 11:48:10 AM
It was hard to tell from your video.
7/28/2004 11:52:21 AM
It looks more like a woman to me. Mother Theresa or maybe Mother Mary?
7/28/2004 11:57:25 AM
I saw the face right away, I think its a definite sign from our Lord. I believe that closure will be brought to this family very soon. I truly hope its the good news they''ve been praying for.
7/28/2004 11:59:30 AM
I see the face, but isn''t possible that it is just an imprint from the bark? I think that someone should follow the bark and see if it is from the bark or if it really is an imprinted image of a face.
7/28/2004 12:10:41 PM
I see the face, but isn''t it possible that it is just an imprint from the bark? I think that someone should follow the bark and see if it is from the bark or if it really is an imprinted image of a face. I am a little skeptical about it, but no matter what Matt is in my prayers and heart!
7/28/2004 12:12:32 PM
I do see what appears to be a face, but what alarms me more is the number of people that use poor judgement when voicing the opinion that they have. The freedom of speech is something that should be held at a higher standard.....Have you heard of Blasphemy?
7/28/2004 12:16:27 PM
It is if the eyes may be closed and the top of the head is the tree right above the ribbon, but you do not see a mouth, just the eyes and nose.
7/28/2004 12:20:02 PM
I agree that it is Jesus letting us all know that he hears our prayers and that he is around. This is one way of showing all of us that he does listen and wanted us to see.
7/28/2004 12:22:48 PM
it seems to me to be the bark of the tree pushing on the ribbon that's creating the shadows to look like jesus'' face. it''s still interesting, though, whether you "see" it or not!
7/28/2004 12:42:38 PM
Amazing
7/28/2004 12:44:45 PM
It''s pathetic that you are reporting this . A desperate mother hoping her son is still alive and you report this and you make a poll out of it . What are you thinking -- that your are channel 5 .
7/28/2004 12:50:27 PM
I think it's Bill Clinton''s face !!!
7/28/2004 1:04:16 PM
People have too much time on their hands.
7/28/2004 1:10:15 PM
That is truly amazing. That is Gods way of telling us that Matt is safe in his hands!
7/28/2004 1:16:39 PM
only b/c others pointed it out
7/28/2004 1:32:22 PM
It does appear to me to be the Madonna (Mary).
7/28/2004 1:45:04 PM
How can anyone not see that??
7/28/2004 1:51:43 PM
I think that if it is Christ I am hoping that he is telling us that he is ok and will return safly, but you also have to think maybe he is saying that Matt is with him now and he is safe in the hands of God.
7/28/2004 1:51:53 PM
But it looks more like Powdered Toast Man. Not trying to be funny, but it just does.
7/28/2004 2:06:41 PM
The eyelids. Well, I don''t see how tree bark would run horizontally in such an ironic way. The nose as well.
7/28/2004 2:07:09 PM
For crying out loud, get a grip. It's a ribbon tied around a tree.
7/28/2004 2:07:20 PM
I see what appears to be a face. Has anyone inspected the ribbon to be sure it has not been altered in anyway?
7/28/2004 2:35:07 PM
I do see what there saying they see it really vague but it''s there. Def there though. That is great sign !!!
7/28/2004 2:42:26 PM
this is such a awesome reminder of Christ''s presence
7/28/2004 3:40:25 PM
Its Jesus
7/28/2004 3:44:20 PM
Nope, It is just some carving on the tree. Plus, the wind was blowing east
7/28/2004 3:46:46 PM
Amazing! Sometimes I question that Jesus or God even exists, but things like this really make it real to me. It gives me the chills and makes tears well up in my eyes!
7/28/2004 4:28:24 PM
I see nothing
7/28/2004 4:54:06 PM
The main thing about this story is that it keeps us all focused on Matt, and does indeed renew our hope that he will come home. If Matt's mother can see that, why can''t the rest of us? Let''s continue to believe...let's continue to pray. -- Gloria Vickers, Tulsa, OK
7/28/2004 5:27:30 PM
Actually, there are two faces the larger image is of the eyes and nose with the smaller profile of Christ in the right eye.
7/28/2004 5:39:54 PM
It surely looks like a face, ofcourse it is just the wrinkles in the ribbon. But, we all know God and his angels are watching over Matt & all of the other soldiers overseas.
7/28/2004 5:55:10 PM
Jesus is watching over Matt. He will make it home. It will be something very special for the entire community to see him and his family reunite. Thank You Jesus.
7/28/2004 6:18:18 PM
It''s been proven that our minds look for familiarities...clouds, shadows, whatnot. I would think it is no more than that in this case.
7/28/2004 6:23:01 PM
It''s amazing to me that 77% of the people polled saw a face, most of them saying Christ or Mary. I see Jesus plain as day. I have seen it in person and know the person that took the original picture. I know that this is good for everyone involved. There was nothing but positive and loving attitudes at that tree yesterday, people bringing there families, taking pictures, hugging strangers, praying, crying, laughing and most of all feeling good about what they saw on that tree, rather it be the bark, or the ribbon, or the wind blowing east, or the light. If that wasn''t God, then it sure brought God to that parking lot. Think what you want, believe what you want, I saw God in all those wonderful people that stopped by, and all I know is the power of prayer is AWESOME. God can heal the sick, renew sight to the blind, and I know he will lead home Matt Maupin safe and sound with the rest of our brave Men and Women. I just can't wait until they see how Awesome Clermont County is decked out in all these yellow ribbons. The party will be Out of this world! Thank you to all of you supporting our troops and praying for the Maupin Family! Dawn Brinson, Union Township
7/28/2004 6:43:29 PM
I can tell you this much, this is something very spiritual, Clermont County is all about God and Country.
7/28/2004 6:57:48 PM
I see a yellow ribbon around what appears to be an oak tree. Anyone who sees otherwise needs their eyes and imaginations checked. I am an atheist and am constantly blown away by the childish imaginations seemingly grown adults possess. If someone can produce an actual photograph or sketch done of Jesus in person, then maybe I could say the ribbon resembles that individual. But, how in hell can someone say the ribbon/tree looks like Jesus when no one has ever seen the person or seen a picture drawn by someone who was in Jesus''s presence at the time of the drawing, assuming this jesus actually existed. Grown up people!! You''re not in kindergarten anymore. -ScotTheAtheist
7/28/2004 7:02:02 PM
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