Death happens every day. Death takes lives in many ways. Natural causes, accidents, illness, suicide, murder and old age. I feel as I get older, death creeps up around me more and more. Or I am just more aware of it. Either way, I find myself thinking about death more frequently. I'm not certain whether this is a good thing or a bad thing but feel both serve a purpose.
My maternal grandfather's death was my first real experience with death that impacted me. He died of cancer. My father's death was my second unforgettable experience with death. His death impacted my life in numerous ways which I have discussed in previous blog posts. In both instances, I learned something about myself and life. Some of the lessons truly sucked and I am thankful to have learned from them regardless.
Most recently, I attended a friend's memorial/funeral. A young woman not even 30 years old yet and her life stolen from her in a violent manner. It makes me sad. It makes me angry. It makes me doubt the good in people. It makes me wonder when did our society take a dive off the deep end? When did it become common place for one to take another's life? Why have we accepted the violence, abuse and cruelty which has become a part of everyday life? Why do we glamorize it through the media? We are always left with more questions than answers.
I don't have a solution. I don't have an answer. I struggle with what is important in my life? What isn't important? What should I worry about? Should I be doing something different? Am I wasting my life? Am I happy with my life? How will I know what is the right way to live my life? Will I know? Should I know?
I do know I am tired of seeing women murdered by their significant others. There have been at least half dozen women murdered by their spouses, boyfriends or significant others in Minnesota in the last 6-8 months. What has gone so terribly wrong that one cannot just walk away and allow each to live their life as they see fit? Why do we feel we have the right to inflict pain and suffering on others?
Somewhere along the way, society has failed. Society as a whole is responsible. We have all looked the other way. It's not 'our' problem. We do 'our' part. Some people just can't be helped or can they? Yes, we are all accountable for our own actions. But maybe, just maybe, if we all took a stand when the opportunity presents itself and do the right thing - the outcome would be different - a chain reaction of sorts. Pay it forward in a sense. Quit thinking it's someone else's problem to solve. Take the initiative and try to be part of the solution instead part of the problem. Put a stranger's needs before your own and see what happens. Think about a time when you wish someone would have stepped up to the plate for you.
There are no mulligan's in Life.
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