Sad Day

Duane,

Thank you for that thoughtful reminder.  There is a lot of wisdom in what you say.

Jeff

It sad to hear something like that. But non the less, and I am sorry to say this, you can almost see more comeing, its the time we face. I currently have 2 full time jobs and it still feels like its worthless.

It really goes to show you that we should all do a little more to try to reach out to one another and hopefully get things back in prospective.

What did happen to people caring and shairing? What happend to less sex and violence? What happend to the babies of our time? There not babies at all they act like teens at age 5!

In all honestly I really hope that with our depression, come on lets face the music, we come back to reality. living honest and happy, below our means, and helping others. The greed and lies took over our country and now we stop to think.

The question now is what will you do? and will you keep being so selfish like you have in the passed?

Ouch! Let us all think better of our neighbors and ourselves and when we fail or they fail let's try our best to help pick them up.

Flogging is not called for nor is it helpful.

Duane, that is a great wake up call for us all.  It's good to remember that some people might not have the support that others do.  I will be keeping my neighbors and acquaintances in mind and hope that your neighbor is going to be ok. 

Thanks for the reminder Duane.

I wish I could tell you that this was an isolated incident.  I wish I could say you or anyone could see this coming.

I had a friend from high school who I haven't seen in years commit suicide about a month or two ago.  Basically from the exact same things you stated above and he was about 32 years old.  He didn't have a family but his girlfriend found him.  So I think this is far from being isolated.  I found out because I work with his aunt.

I am working 3 part time jobs and am under employed, plus the internship and trying to network and getting over a serious injury. Through networking with good people it is enough to inspire you but at the same time the media circus and the constant cutting of jobs is enough to drive anyone even with an optimistic attitude a little nutty.

I guess you just need to learn how to take one day at a time and hope for the best and do the best at what you do... Then be confident things will work out in the end.

This is so timely.

I had a friend who took his own life with a gun this past Saturday.  The fact of the matter each of us deals with adversity in different ways.

The following isn't an "I'm great" but rather a demonstration that we can with talk help each other.  My wife died at 30, my son was 2.  While yes, I had moments of depression, I worked through it.  My son who certainly bore the brunt of it recently had a series of setbacks.  In the same week, he lost his job due to Bernie Madoff, had his car stolen and found that his condo (he rented from the owner) was being reposseced...clearly a bad week.

Last night he and I spoke at length (he lives in Florida) about my friend and he said to me "You know dad, I have had a pretty sh**y couple of months but there are far better ways to deal with life when you are dealt lemons.

The moral here is that we all have our own coping mechanisms and we will never understand the suicidal mind

B'Shalom (in peace)

Fred

Thanks Duane for sharing such sobering and tragic news. It should serve to remind us all that each day, every little smile, kindness or helpful action or gesture can be the difference in someone else's life.  If everyone took just one of those actions in the place of an aggressive act on the road in a construction zone or waiting in line in at a store or whatever times 4 Million people in SE MI time 365 days, imagine the power in that? You could literally change an entire regions outlook. Easier said than done. 

If the behavior of monkeys can change across geographical regions without the same level of communcation capabilities which humans possess, imagine what we could do? A critical mass of awareness change is possible. Consider the story below. Whether you choose to believe its validity or not, the thinking behind it is interesting to consider...

http://www.wowzone.com/monkey.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXuCseALMbY

Duane and eveyone, such sad news but I really appreciate you sharing it. I pray that your neighbor will make it through. Duane, please do not feel guilty. Last year my nephew who was surrounded by loving family member committed suicide in his mother's home minutes after she had gone upstairs to bed. We cannot know what goes on in the hearts and minds of others but the incident stretched my compassion even more. People are hurting and they feel desperate. A kind word, a listening ear, a bowl of soup, small kindnesses really can make a big difference. 

These are indeed troubling times but I know that they are made easier when you are not alone. 

Karen

This whole conversation is pointing to one of the huge drawbacks of our culture these days.  We have become a nation of tips, hints, 5 steps and 7 action items to success.  But without dealing with your mental state, it doesn't make any difference and is hollow.  I have a saying:  "Where you come FROM determines everything about where you can get TO."  Where you stand determines what you can see.  I don't think life is real "fun" for any of us right now.  But I point myself towards a brighter future, see it, focus on it, and work towards achieving it.  The light at the end of my tunnell may be very small and far away, but it is there, and every day I make sure I get at least a little closer to it. 

I seem to be known around MCC as a really positive person.  That's actually a surprise to me, because I tend to think I'm ordinary.  But I do know I find humor in just about every moment of the day, I never give up, even though it may look bleak, and I use my support network of friends like crazy.  Not to b*^!h and moan, but to get where I'm at at the moment and work me through it. 

It takes a village to raise not just a child, but a person.  I would be nowhere without my village.  Are you using yours?  It could mean the difference between everything and nothing.

Natlie - your comments are shear brilliance! Thanks for sharing.

Natalie - I happen to think you are an ordinary person who through her actions and genuine concern for others transends ordinary and makes you extraodinary. We can all learn a lesson from you. A healthy self is best realized with the support of others.

Thank you Duane for starting this conversation and helping us to remember that we have a lot to be grateful for and to remember others as well.

I want to reach out to my MCC network and ask for your help.

Monday evening my best friends daughter was killed in an auto accident. Stephanie was only 16 years old.

The worst part of this tragedy is Stephanie's Dad has been out of work for almost a year and they have no money to pay for a funeral.

I am reaching out to each and everyone of you to ask for a simple donation. $1.00, $2.00 or $5.00 what ever choose.

I want to thank National City Bank in Richmond, MI for setting up a trust to raise money for Stephanie's family. Donations can be made at any National City Bank in Michigan.

I also want to thank Lee-Ellena Funeral Home in Macomb, MI for understanding these grieving parents and working with them. Not asking for money that she knows they do not have.

I want to thank Glen Eden Memorial Park in Macomb for graciously donating the cemetery plot.

I know these are not things we think about especially for our children. But Please keep the Etherton Family in your prayers, and if you can donate just $1....God Bless You.

Wow, we appear to have a village here on MCC and a great one at that!  Great post Dwayne and awesome comments by all. 

Lisa, how do we make a donation?  Please add the address of the place and who's attention to put it to.  I'm not sure googling the address and then putting "Stephanie" on the envelope would suffice.

BTW - I too think Natalie is extraordinary with her positive energy:)

Look forward to seeing the mailing address for Stephanie as well. What would it mean for 100 donations to flow in from MCC right now? Would it mushroom to well beyond that once the community consciousness was transformed. My money$ is in an envelope, waiting to be mailed. I am sorry to hear about this family's loss. I lost my father in a car accident when I was just 14 on the Friday of Memorial weekend so this story has a tragic, familiar feeling for me. 

Stephanie Etherton

Address?