History is a part of all of us. It shapes
the world and everyone in it. We learn from it, if we choose to. Sadly, mankind
as a whole does not. How to pick from its archives one or two events that I
wish to see is mind-boggling. I've been struggling with that chore all month.
Yesterday, life chose for me. It’s
not a big event, like the landing of the Mayflower. Nor one I would want to see. I would not be content with
being a spectator either. I would want to make a difference and try to change
that particular piece of history.
Yesterday, they found a young man,
someone I know, whose mother is a dear friend of mine, dead. At this point
there is no explanation. I don’t even know what happened, but the choice to be
there, in the off chance I could have helped, is my pick in history.
We are on this planet to make a
difference. We impact people’s lives each and every day. Sometimes for good,
and sometimes, not so much. This young man needed help. Whether that be to talk
him out of killing himself, helping to fight off a murderer or performing CPR
until the ambulance arrived, remains to be seen.
There are times in our personal
history when we would all desire to turn back the clock. Living with regrets is
the pits. Making an effort to live outside the box of self-interest brings less
regret. Choosing to make a difference for good, no matter how small, builds a chest
of treasured memories.
Someone somewhere knew this young
man needed help. Whether a neighbor who heard fighting but ignored the nudge to
call the police, or a friend who knew he was depressed. We may never know all
the answers, but we do have a solution. Act when you sense trouble. Go out of
your way to help those that need it. Respond to cries for help, even from
strangers. Make your mark in history a good one, and choose to live a life of
no regrets.
5 comments:
With prayers for the family Becky.
Amen to that. Listen, pray, act.
How sad for the young man's family and friends, and for you. I'll keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers.
Joan, Pat and Rox, Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. The funeral was standing room only. He was a neat kid and will be missed. It's been a tough week. He was much too young.
It has been a tough week. Our class lost one on Tuesday. She was one of three of us that ran around together in H.S. We lost the other in November last year.
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