The thing is, death is permanent.  Suicide is a false solution to their problem.   Problems, even problems that seem overwhelming and beyond a person’s ability to see past it…problems come and go.  Life is full of them…big, small, and in-between problems.   There is hope…but they may need help in seeing it and believing in getting beyond what is troubling them.   However, if a person’s coping skills are influenced by depression, abuse, post traumatic stress, neglect or drug/alcohol abuse then, they may mistakenly think that suicide is a way out.

There is no way around it…destruction is close at hand when a person is to the point of thinking about suicide IF they do not seek professional help to deal with whatever is driving them to this point.  Sometimes, an individual is beyond seeking help on their own power; and a family member, friend or acquaintance is forced to intervene by contacting either a health care professional, a member of clergy or spiritual adviser, or the police in some cases to force a person to seek help.  This is not easy and the laws regarding forcing someone to seek help are different in each state.

It is a hard decision to even consider stepping in.  Most of us don’t want to be put in the position of interfering in another person’s personal life.   In fact, most people will err on the side of caution and allow desperate situations to go on too long.  Out of respect for that person’s privacy we might tip toe around the subject hoping not to offend.  I say it is better to possibly offend a person than to lose them to suicide; if you are wrong and they are not suicidal, you can always let them know that you cared enough about them to risk their upset, rather than risk losing them to suicide.

Still, I bring all of this up because recently it seems that there have been a rash of suicides.  Some of them made the news, some of them were in local communities and some of them affected people that I know.  It makes me sad because there is always a high cost when a person takes their own life; it isn’t only the person who dies who suffers either.

Suicide can affect anyone.  Shock is the most obvious reaction when someone takes their life.  The people who knew them will often say…I had no idea that they were thinking about it.  Suicide can be in the mind of your parent, child, spouse, clergy/spiritual leader, teacher, friend, an isolated elder, neighbor, a member of our military personnel…or, just about anyone who is living or breathing.  Just so you know, it doesn’t matter how much money they have, where they live or who they know…suicide can be lurking in the mind of a person who is having a difficult time in their life.

You see, friends, acquaintances, and loved ones of people who commit suicide suffer terribly in their grief.  They chase their thoughts round in round about what they missed, how they could have helped, what could have been done differently, why they still live when the person who died is gone.  Some even need counseling to deal with their emotions for a very long time.  Many even get to the point where they, too, struggle with finding joy in life because they feel guilty for having moments of joy, laughter, successes or celebrations.

The person who has died does not know this.  They no longer are capable of seeing how their death affects people who are left behind.   Even people in their community who barely knew them.  You see, we all have an impact in this life whether you realize how many lives you touch or not…every life has value.

People struggle in life…we can help those at risk of suicide by trying to be aware of what they are going through.  Most of us are not qualified to help someone through severe depression or feelings of ending it all by committing suicide…but, we can all be more aware of the signs of when someone is in trouble.  We can urge someone to seek medical/emotional/spiritual professional help.  We can be encouragers, listeners and friends.  Get the phone numbers and addresses of counselors, organizations and mental health care providers in your area.  In an emergency, call 911 if you feel someone is in danger.  You might not only save their life…but you might save an innocent bystander as well.

There was a tragic story yesterday of a woman who was involved in an alleged domestic situation where there was great emotional turmoil.  Her Aunt called the authorities after the woman called a family member and said they would all have to forgive her because she was about to do something crazy.  Her children’s father was allegedly cheating on her.  This distraught New York woman, allegedly put her four children into her vehicle and drove two minutes from her home off of a ramp into some water…killing herself and three of her children.  Her fourth child, a ten year old, managed to roll down a window and by a miracle got out of the vehicle alive.  Her very young children never had a chance.  It sounds like law enforcement was there within 17 minutes…but, it only took her two to drive into the water.   What horrible consequences to a temporary situation.

In her apparent desperation, this was her solution to the problem of a cheating spouse.  It made sense to her at the time.  To those of us outside of her situation; we can see how desperate and out of control she had to be to endanger not only herself, but her children’s life.  Whether he really was cheating or not, it doesn’t matter (well it does…but, that is between him and God); but, her belief that he was cheating triggered her suicidal and homicidal response.  This is a tragedy all the way around.

There are survivors…not only the ten year old child who will struggle to have a normal life since he survived and his siblings did not…but there are other relatives, the spouse, the neighbors, the children’s school mates, church members, community members and so on.  This kind of thing leaves a big scar.

I want to share with you information about awareness and the prevention of suicide by printing a link to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Organization.

We live in a time of great stress.  We have wars going on, natural disasters, man-made disasters, terrorism, accidents, financial losses and domestic violence…you get the idea.  Update:  Last night the news shared even more devastating news about the New York mom who drove into the Hudson River with her children in the car.  It seems that after she drove in she realized what she had done was a mistake.  Her 10 year old child said, She kept saying “I made a mistake, I made a mistake”.  This is so sad…but it does illustrate my earlier point…the person in distress doesn’t really want to die or in this case cause others to die…they just want the pain to end.

My own personal belief is that homosexuality is wrong…a sin if you will, however, I do not think that this group or any group has the right to protest at someone’s funeral.  This is a time for a family & friends to grieve and honor their loved ones.    I think that Westboro’s conduct or behavior is shameful for a church and shows a lack of compassion or love for their fellow man/woman; and, that there are better ways to communicate their beliefs or faith.  To me it is now more like a legal sort of bullying that has the stamp approval from the Supreme Court (except for one Supreme Court Justice).

Much of the controversy comes from the fact that most of the protests include signs and words that label individuals as gays, fags or homosexuals…or sinners going to hell because of their ethnicity (Jews-non Christian), race, or religion that Westboro claims are false religions.  Many of these protests have been at funerals for military personnel who have gone to war to protect the freedoms of fellow Americans.  I think it is an outrage that a ceremony of grief for family and friends could be violated by these “protests” that exude hatred and disrespect.  While I think that most Americans would say that they have a right to their opinion…with or without a law to back it up; I believe that what is most upsetting is that their right to say it in whatever form they choose, feels as if they are stepping over the rights of those who they are protesting against.

The Westboro Baptist Church calls themselves Christian…but they do not appear to show the love of God.  Scripture says that homosexual behavior is an abomination/sin.   Yet scripture also says to love the sinner but hate the sin.  What these protests communicate has nothing of love associated with them.  It is all negative words and actions.

My feeling is that since the Supreme Court has upheld their right to protest at the funerals, and in public venues against whomever they decide to protest against; not out of any great love for Westboro’s beliefs and standards, but out of a sense of protecting everyone’s right to freedom of speech; I would like to know where responsibility comes into the discussion.  When people have a freedom of speech…do they not have a responsibility not to cause harm?

Accusing people of being a homosexual, or of belonging to, or promoting a “false” religion…can cause harmful consequences.  Denigrating a person because of their race, or religion appears to come across as an unnecessarily cruel use of words to get their beliefs known.  To me it also seems counterproductive, if their goal is to persuade others to their way of thinking.  These protests can “cost” a community or city a great deal of money to intervene with police protection to prevent violence from breaking out in certain circumstances.  Are there no legal repercussions for a group to take into consideration the harm that they can inflict upon a group or an individual, or even a community by the words that they fling towards others?

Do you think that the Westboro Baptist Church should be allowed to continue doing what they are doing?  Do you think that their actions reflect badly on other Christians?  Now that the Supreme Court has upheld their right to continue these protests, do you think that they will increase their protests around the country?  How do you feel about what they do at these protest?  Is it the American way to allow it to continue…or an outrage?

Many of the comments that I overheard were negative and directed at my daughter.  All three girls have dominant personalities but what I was getting a glimpse of was what you would call verbal bullying.  Early the next day we had activities to go to so I wasn’t hearing much but I didn’t like some of what I did hear.   Even more importantly, when negative comments were made regarding my daughter she did not speak up or against what was being said.

When I would hear the tone of voice or the partial conversations that made me go…ummm what was that you said; all I got for clarification was , “oh nothing, never mind”.  That only made me listen closer.

So it was on the drive delivering the girls to their home that I was in a better position to hear clearly a couple of comments that I felt were so outrageous and disrespect or demeaning that I had to address it.  Now, understand…these girls weren’t purposely trying to be cruel.

I feel that they were more unaware of what they were doing…and yet, it had to be talked about.  I expressed to them that friends did not speak that way to one another.  Friendship I said can last a lifetime if the people involved take the time to care for one another, support and encourage one another.   I said that there are enough people in this world ready, willing and able to tear you down, make fun of you, disrespect you and try to make you feel small.  I said that it was unacceptable for them to speak to one another that way.  It had to stop.  That it was unhealthy.

My concern was two fold…one that my daughter’s self-esteem not be damaged by “friends” whose opinions mean a great deal to my daughter and two that her friends understand that this kind of behavior was not only not healthy but would not be tolerated.  Those girls as well as my daughter needed to understand that self esteem and relationships go hand in hand and that they form at a young age how we allow ourselves to be treated in future relationships.

A damaged self esteem sets up individuals for entering into abusive relationships.  An individual who abuses others in a relationship often end up in very unhealthy relationships later in life as well.   I don’t want any of either of those types of relationships for these three young ladies.

People who are involved in dysfunctional relationships are often caught up in depression, drugs/alcohol abuse, violence, pre-marital sex at a young age and even teen pregnancies.  The prison systems are full of abandoned individuals who’ve gotten involved in the wrong things; because they didn’t develop healthy foundations, in their own minds, about who they are and what they deserve in life.  Too often people are told they are no good and they don’t deserve anything but emotional crumbs in their day to day lives; and it isn’t true.  Life is too short to be broken, angry, hurt and miserable.  Everyone has the right to grow up believing that they deserve the best life has to offer.

Today it seems that people just don’t know how to support one another or relate to each other in a positive way.  The world has become very negative and toxic.  Many people only concern themselves with getting their own needs met and often times they do that at the expense of others.  We need to find ways to build people up, support them, encourage them and help them to grow in positive ways.

Parents, teachers, siblings, friends and clergy need to keep tuned into the people involved in relationships with the people that they love.  Listen closely to how they speak to one another, how they treat one another and how they allow others to treat them as well.  Building healthy interactions between those we are in charge over is important.  Do you have any tips to help someone in this type of situation?

I blog the same way that I cook.   If I begin my cooking using someone else’s recipe…I can’t help but tweak it a little.  You know, a little of this and a little of that.  Spice it up and toss in a few ingredients that normally, one wouldn’t think would go along with that kind of a dish.  Well, it is going to be absolutely no different here with this blog challenge.  Sorry, Karin…I just never was one to color strictly between the lines.  So, here goes…

I am thinking…I write because it is what I do.  If I were to “talk” the way I blog…my rambling, over the top, shout it out thought process about whatever moves me, on any given day; it would drive everyone out of my life-except the random, unsuspecting person who stumbled along my path that day.  See, if I start on a subject, I have to examine it closely.  If it’s something that I am passionate about it could, and often does, get lengthy; and let’s face it, I am passionate about everything I write…otherwise, why bother?

And as far as 10 reasons why you should read my blog…well, I am just not sure you should.  See, #10. I have things to say and my family gets tired of trying to invent ways to escape the room when I am trying to move them to my point of view-really, you are doing them a service by reading the blog;   #9.  I am TV free and the issues I blog about are often news items that other people get to view nightly on TV and they often accept that subject as fact-on my blog…we discuss what ifs and what you think about that kind of subject;   #8.  I give you an opportunity to express your opinions on things from relationship issues, to health concerns, to spiritual matters, as well as subjects you may have never even considered before;   #7.   I am all about family, friends and heart matters-some people have a hard time with all of that deep thinking on touchy feely matters;  #6.   I have a lot of curiosity about the world and I am not afraid to indulge myself;   #5.   I find that blogging is a way for me to explore my deep need to understand myself and the minds of other people-Just so you know…in real life…people get weirded out when you push them to think deep and “talk” about it; as my profile on Twitter says, I am addicted to interesting people, places, and subjects and I blog about it all;   #4.   I need feedback and blogging is the best place in the world to get it without getting “stuck” in an uncomfortable conversation with someone if they get a little too intense on a subject;   #3.   I am very entertaining most days and even when I get serious about something…I try to be very sensitive to the reader because I never know who will be reading the blog and how it will affect them;   #2.   My blog has been known to create relationships – I found this especially rewarding on subjects such as triple negative cancer patients who were trying to connect with others with information that impacted their lives;   The  #1.   reason you should read my blog is because I think there are too many places in this world that focus on the negative aspects of life and really…life is too short to be focused on negativity…we need to encourage one another and find joy where we can.

As for the twist on the recipe part of the blog…here are a few added ingredients…I was distracted much of this summer from my blogging.   I need to feel moved to write; that is just how I was created.   However, consistency is a main ingredient for any blogging success.  My last post was August 16^th and today is September 7th.   I have needed a shot in the arm to get the creative juices flowing…and since it is the back to school season…immunizations are a big thing right now.  I want to thank Karin for giving me my booster shot.

My twist on this challenge is that I should have turned in a list of 10 reasons why I DIDN’T write more this summer…but really, those reasons would just turn out to be excuses with some mundane explanations thrown in the kitchen soup.  The truth of the matter is… that I was very busy living my life and enjoying it immensely.  I make no apologies for that.  I have gained some wisdom over the years and one of the most important things I have learned is that if you don’t take the time to enjoy life and merely become an observer (which in my mind is what I do on my blog…observe, document, inspect, and regurgitate for the reader) then you find yourself with many regrets at the end of your life.  I want no regrets.  Life is precious…I am greedy…I want to see, do, hear, witness and participate in all that I can, so that I can feel peaceful about how I spend the days of my life.  Thanks for being a part of it all!

        I think everyone has those kinds of days once in a while.  Wake up and stub your toe right off the bat, or go to make breakfast and everything you reach for to make is either lacking an ingredient or doesn’t turn out.  Gotta go somewhere….well, you probably should have gotten gas last night; because, now that your vehicle is running on empty, they have raised the price of gas by 23 cents a gallon…and guess what?  You need a lot of gallons to get where you are going.  What in the world?  Did they declare it pick on you day and no one gave ya a heads up?

         Have you maybe tried to do something nice for someone and had it misunderstood?  Been accused of misdeed, or wrong doing, and you have just been minding your own business, doing what is supposed to be done?  Had your motives questioned?  Annoyed someone simply by breathing the same air as them; or, have a separate opinion on a particular subject?   Really, I mean come on people…have you thought that you, and another person such as a co-worker, were on the same page about something, only to find out that you couldn’t be more wrong?  Ayi Yi Yi!

         Did you let someone down accidently, or shown up late to something really important?  Have you not been able to give enough to another person and their expectation of you was so high, that you felt bad not meeting their expectation? 

       Don’t even get me started with communication because you might just as well know right now,  that nothing you say to anyone, on this kind of day, will be understood the way that you meant it to be understood.  People will get mad at you, they will have hurt feelings, they will look at you like you are out of your mind and not making a lick of sense, when you try to communicate with them. 

        In fact, you may even have the misfortune of carrying on a conversation with a person or two and be talking about completely different subjects without realizing it until the conversation is nearly over!  That is, if you even connect with them on the phone in the first place; because, no matter how many times you try to contact that certain person…you continue to play phone tag and keep missing one another.   Grrrrr.

          Add up the miscommunications,  irresponsible moments, un-intended power struggles, the time delays, accidents, losses,  bad luck, negative emotions and upset people and you have to wonder; how can you move past a day like this?

       Wow…been there, done that, RECENTLY.  You want to know the really cool thing about one of those, can’t do anything right days?  Here it comes…are you ready for it?  Those days eventually have to end; because the truth of the matter is…there are only 24 hours in a day and you get a do -over tomorrow.   Ahhhh…that is the best news I have had heard all day.  How about you?  Tomorrow is a new day…make it a good one, eh?

Some of those trials and challenges have been self made and others are of the variety that that seem to be the result of stumbling around in the darkness looking for the light switch only to step in someone else’s mess…you know the kind of mess…the kind that you need to scrape off of the bottom of your shoe.  There are repercussions and consequences in each of those situations and at times, all seems lost and hopeless.  It is hard not to let it affect you if you are a caring person who can’t bear to see those you love suffering.

I have to keep reminding myself to keep my eyes off of the situation…keep my eyes looking towards God and his power to work through all situations.  That is not an easy thing to do when things are desperate and have such steep valleys to get through.  

Our human minds can only see the small puzzle pieces before us…especially the difficulties; we usually seem incapable of seeing the larger picture or outcome, from any given situation.  It is overwhelming to not be able to see into the future.  We sometimes think that we can avoid the pain and dissappointments that life will eventually throw our way… in fact, most of us would choose to opt out of the more severe situations; choosing instead to surf the crest of  ONLY the good times. 

If all that we experience in life was perfect and rosy how would we know to value those same perfect things…we would have nothing to compare it to.   Our human nature would never let us know the depth of pain, loss, isolation or injustice.   Nor would we learn on whom to depend in those times of despair.   God is always there, ready and willing to guide us and lift the burden from our hearts and minds. 

We only need to remember this and surround ourselves with others who understand that; so that when we are buried under the crush of each tragedy and heartbreak,  and can’t seem to find a way to pray and dig our way out…we can learn to count on those who can, and will support us, to help us find the light in the darkness. 

It is all about growth and compassion…connecting with others.  We all have had burdens to bear at one time or another.  How much easier is it to go through those times when we are feeling supported by compassionate people?  Listening skills are important and so is a willingness to weather the storm with another person. 

Do you know someone who is struggling in some kind of darkness or difficulty?  How can you shine a light in the midst of what they are going through?  Do you struggle with what to say or do?  Most of us do, but still for those who feel surrounded by the darkness; any attempt to shine a light is appreciated and considered a lifeline in the midst of a storm. 

A kind word, a card or letter, a phone call or an action taken meant to reduce the difficulty that another is going through can be a huge light in the darkness.   These are the things that a person struggling remembers after the darkness.  Risk reaching out in your relationship with others and become a light of encouragement to someone today…you will be surprised how much of a positive impact it can have.

        These things can be overcome.  Set your mind to helping to heal, correct, comfort, console and bring peace to those around you who are hurting.   Taking that action doesn’t have to cost alot of money, it can be a simple thing like a wordless hug…a small gift… a card sent with personal words of love and support…or clearing your schedule to listen to them vent…offering to share their load if you can. 

         If you know them well enough, you probably know what brings them comfort and peace.   Whatever action you chose to take, do it with love, kindness, and patience…it will be greatly appreciated and eventually rewarded by seeing them overcome whatever obstacle or challenge has come before them.    After all, you never know when your actions might cause a pay it forward kind of moment that blesses others.

        Giving another person hope and encouragement is a wonderful thing.   It can be contagious and become a light in the dark world that sometimes surrounds us.

           When David announced details  on the show about the alledged blackmail attempt (which he reported to the authorities) David was applauded by some supporters as “being manly”; or, being proactive and taking the reins in the attempt to spin the public’s perception of the whole sordid situation.   I personally dont find it manly to sleep with co-workers casually and then make a joke out of it for public consumption on television.   

             There are some people who are “standing by their Letterman” no matter what.   When I hear them talking it makes me wonder what their personal values are…and I also wonder about the individuals that they are in a relationship are thinking.  Hmmm…if my significant other thinks it is ok for David Letterman to cheat in his relationship and sleep with his co-workers…then what is my significant other doing when I am not around…that is the kind of thoughts that would be running through my mind if my significant other was speaking out in support of David’s bad behavior. 

         Another thing, while David has spoken in jest about such matters…he has that smirk on his face (in my opinion)…which just doesn’t sit well with me.  It makes me think he is callous in his treatment of others or worse…that he is loving all of the chaos that this mess is causing and is giving him more attention and ratings than he could have hoped for.  Either way, I don’t like watching his cheesy grin while he devalues his relationship with Regina or those other woman by turning it into some kind of “hip” monologue to “entertain” people with.  

            There is some concern that all of the jokes that David (and others) are cracking in public is going to create a backlash for David and his image.  I say, are you serious?  Ok, so none of the women he had relationships with on his staff are complaining.   Still, some women’s organizations are complaining about his attitude toward women in the workplace.   Ok, so his wife has not made a public statement about her feelings on the situation.  Ok, some really big stars and supporters are saying …yeah well, David is the man, because he confronted the issue through his television show.  David has done plenty of bashing of other men, who were in similiar positions as him regarding inappropriate or immoral sexual behavior over the years. 

        I just want to say that I don’t find any of this a laughing matter…it really rather offends me that he is cracking jokes about such a serious situation; one that is causing hurt for so many people.  For those who are spiritually minded, this is a huge concern as it goes against most religious guidelines for proper or appropriate behavior; in fact, it is considered a sin by many. 

         Maybe David thinks this is the appropriate way to address the situation by laughing at it.  Hmmm…or maybe not.  Maybe he is attempting to put a spin on the damage or as they say, he is doing damage control.  Except…really, for a man who waited so many years to remarry…to have a young son…wouldn’t you think he would be concerned about how this is affecting those closest to him?  I have heard him apologize to his staff, and acknowledge that his actions have deeply hurt his wife Regina.  I heard him say that if one is responsible for causing that kind of hurt that they need to repair the damage.  It is easier said than done.

          Ok Dave…I am going to speak your language and give you some free advice.  Here are the top 10  ten reasons that you, David Letterman, need to stop laughing and making jokes about your actions in this situation.

Reason #10

People might think you would do it all over again-because you thanked your staff for standing by you when you got “yourself” into something stupid!   Hello…you got alot of people into something stupid.

Reason #9

You could lose your job over the situation.

Reason #8

You could lose viewers in the long run (even though the immediate numbers are up).

Reason #7

You could lose sponsors for the show-which in turn could cause you to lose your job.

Reason #6

You could have damaged marriages & family relationships for the people on your staff.

Reason #5

You have given your child plenty of counseling material for years to come-plus ammunition for school bullies to taunt your young son Harry…he may not always respect you, like you appear to have respected your father.

Reason #4

You have given your wife reason to doubt and mistrust your actions with present & future staff-this may have destroyed the trustibility in your marriage-costing you companionship, love, support, and half of your financial legacy.

Reason #3

You have damaged your relationship with your wife & mother of your only child-yes you were not married but you were in a relationship with her during the time of this alledged behavior.

Reason #2

You look like an insensitive jerk by laughing at a situation that affects thousands & thousands of your viewer’s marriages and relationships each and every day.

Reason #1

The other half of the story isn’t out yet…and there will be more information to come out.  The more you laugh now the more there could be to explain later…to the public, to those you have personal relationships with and to the authorities in a court room.  Your name will not just be known for your comedic skills and talents…it will be forever associated with sex, scandal, back room relationships…and negative publicity.  Your so called friends and supporters will distance themselves from you quicker than quick if the publicity takes a negative turn.   Oh and by the way, it just isn’t funny David Letterman!

On a personal level…we all have such moments such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, an experience of violence, maybe a long anticipated birth, a reunion of relationship thought forever lost to us, an accident, a buried memory that has suddenly come to the surface; these all can be classified in our minds as, a before and after moment.  It is a moment when time is frozen and we acknowledge that our lives will never be the same; for better or worse.

As a society, when something like the space shuttle Challenger explodes, or a President (John F. Kennedy) is assignated, an icon dies in a shocking way, war breaks out, a huge natural or man made disaster happens to a community, or terrorism like 911 comes knocking down the door of the innocent with brutal strength and power; it devastates not only the morale of an individual; it attacks the personal concept of safety and innocence of not only a nation; but, it has the ability to impact the world.  We once again have a moment in time that is frozen into a before and an after 911.  We are never the same in the after moments, as we were in the before.

We observe it,  acknowledge it, we grieve it, we resent it, we write about it, and we cope with it.  The experience is never to be forgotten and nor are those who have been intimately affected by the loss of life, of the loss of a future with those that they love…nor the impact of losing those innocent people who just happened to be in the very center of a destructive decision, made by those who have been indoctrinated by hate and a desire to control the fate of others.  We must learn from these moments…we must somehow bridge the gap of hatred so that every person’s humaness can be seen, appreciated, respected and valued, as we value our own.   These frozen moments in time must not freeze our hearts and minds…or the enemy wins!

         My daughter had 3 children in a fairly short period of time.  The youngest is about 5 months old (and teething at present time).  So when she said, the other day, how would you like to take the two older children for a day or two?  I said oh yeah.  She could use some much needed rest…and, I could have some fun.

          So tonight, I added a 2 year old and a 4 year to my already busy household of a 10 year old, a 17 year old, an 18 year old and a 19 year old.  Ahhhhh busy-ness.  So in preparation, I made a double- batch of home-made play dough.  I cooked,  baked and I planned us a time of over- night bliss.  We’re having a campout in the living room with a video marathon.  LOL  I told them, at bedtime, we could all make nests in the living room with our sleeping bags and watch their favorite movies.   His is CARS and hers, is Hannah Montanna.    Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into?  That is a long time to watch movies… I do love CARS though. 

        In the meantime, we have played on the swing set, rode bikes on the driveway…looked in on the baby chicks and the watched the fish in the pond.  A few minutes ago….they were dragging out their sleeping bags, their stuffed toys, and asking when it would be bed time.  Hahahahahah…their mother would be very un-impressed that they are in a hurry to go to bed at grandma’s house.  Not because I have the magic touch; oh no, it is because they can’t wait to watch the movies; now that their bellies are full…and they are anticipating the joy of sleeping on the floor and having fun.  I hate to tell their mother that it is only 7:15 pm.   They never want to go to bed early, just like most kids.  I should suggest a campout to their mom; for the days when they are giving her a hard time.   You know the kind of really loooooooooooong days that every family experiences, at one time or another as the children are growing up. 

        All of this day’s events have been celebrated amongst laughter and giggling.  I love this.  I’ve been a grandma a long time…and, it never gets old.   The only thing better, would be if all of the grandkids were here together!  Woohoo…then we would have a grand time for sure.    So, that had me thinking about a really sad (and angering) news story that I read about yesterday. 

          The story revolved around a 21 year old woman (old enough to know better-old enough to be ashamed of herself) who was caught prank calling her, own 69 year old, grandmother and allegedly threatening to kill her.  The young woman and a “friend” allegedly called the grandmother 45 times in the same day… allegedly saying things like, they were watching her and that she was going to die. 

          When the police got involved…they too, heard the female caller.  The young womans alleged explanation to the investigators was that she was “bored and she wanted to scare the grandmother…not kill her”.    I don’t know if there is any kind of mental illness involved, or any other kind of explanation for such behavior; but, I can never imagine having a relationship, with the children of my children, that would leave room for that kind of treatment.  It is an awful thing to even consider.

          I don’t imagine that grandmother ever considered such a thing happening in her family either.  Imagine standing in a hospital room, looking down at your newborn grandchild and envisioning a future where your grandchild could do such of a thing to you.  It is heartbreaking…where is the natural connection between one generation to another?  Our society is  breaking down in ways that a compassionate heart can not imagine.  We are becoming a nation of selfish and cruel people; when this kind of thing, and worse, happens between people who are supposed to love and support one another.    It begs the question, is time with the grandkids  found to be filled with an attitude of  love, indifference, insensitivity, or is it hate?   What is happening, or not happening, that is allowing some of the younger generation to be insensitive to the needs and feelings of the elders in our society?  Is anyone else shocked by some of the things that are happening in our country, even within our own families?  Elder abuse is becoming more common and it is wrong!