The Paradox

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller building, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We learn how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We've conquered outer space, but not inter space; we've cleaned up the air' but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice; we have higher incomes, but lower morals; we've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.

It is a time when there is much in the show windows and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to make a difference or you can forward it.
~Author Unknown~

Collateral Damage

My nephew, Jimmy Del Aker hung himself this past week. I got the call from my sister, he was hanging from a tree in her backyard, she was screaming pray Dana, pray!! She was out of control.

Oh God, why?

If I had known he was this depressed I would have asked him if he wanted to stay with us for awhile and just get away. Jimmy was always a loving child, he was one of four of my sisters children. He left behind four boys, ages 17, 15, 13 and 10. I had talked to him alot this past month. I wish I would have reached out to him, I wish I would have had some idea what he was thinking, what he was going through.

Jimmy was the primary victim here, however it feels as if a bomb has went off in our family, the collateral damage is massive. There are numerous casualties. We are all changed. I still feel like I will wake up from this nightmare. I can't believe it.