Wednesday, September 16, 2009

It's been a bad week!


Last week Stacey went home from Uni to find our street filled with ambulances, security cars, police vehicles and 911 Trauma unit. She called me to say that there must be a serious problem and could I try and find out what happened. I asked P to call our security company to see if there had been a break-in of sorts, as I didn't want Stacey home alone with violent robbers on the loose! The security company told P that a woman in our street had commited suicide - she had shot herself!



On Monday afternoon, one of our investment bankers went down to the basement parking at home-time, sat down against the wall beside his car, and shot himself in the head. Another senseless loss of life. The second to touch our lives in a week.


I didn't know either of these two people personally, but their deaths have had a profound impact on my life! I cannot help but drive past that house every morning and evening and find my heart ACHING for her family! As I parked my car at work this morning, I thought about this man's wife and children and prayed for their comfort and answers to the many questions they must have.

It did make me realise that life is not easy and while we question and wonder, we have no place to judge. One must be in a desperate situation to make the decision to take your own life. It reminded me too of the definition of Peace, which a friend sent to me. Unfortunately I do not know who the author this is, but it's important to remember that life is NOT about being perfect all the time. It is important to be in control, to face our problems and with love and support work through them. NOTHING is so bad that no-one cares. SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE loves enough to help you through it!

I'd like to share this with you (thank you Ashleigh, apologies to the author - I wish I knew who they were).


There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who could paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest….perfect peace.

The King chose the second picture. “Because” explained the King, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace”.

10 comments:

Hayley said...

wow, I love that!

Sorry to hear about those people. It is heartbreaking.

Riley Kai said...

I understand these events weighing on your heart and I think it says a lot about you as a person. You value the life we were given and value others. It is hard to imagine what it must feel like to have "no other way out". Sorry for what you are going through and praying that you find peace!

Oh, and yes Riley would LOVE your fairy garden! I might try to start her one we move!

Avril said...

That's a lovely story!
I worked for a couple of years with a super woman. At the time I was in my twenties and she, in her early fifties. Her youngest son died alongside his baby son (only 9mths old) in a car accident. She just couldn't live with such a tragedy and hanged herself in her own home. I was devastated as was her entire family. It wasn't that he was her only son - she had three other children and three grandchildren. I wonder what drives people beyond a point where they feel just so hopeless.

My dad suffered from deep depression before he died and at some point also felt like jumping off a building but never had the courage. Deep depression is a dreadful disease.

Love Bears All Things said...

Nice description of peace.
My Daughter and son by love were friends with a couple in which the husband committed suicide. It is very hard to understand. In a way it is a selfish act. The person leaves such turmoil behind in the lives of those who love them.
Mama Bear

Corey~living and loving said...

oh my....that really is a tough week. My heart goes out to their families.

I loved the story you share. It makes perfect sense. thank you.

Jeanette said...

love that little story.
It has been rather hectic with everyone talking about the incident at work

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

We always say we are stressed and on the edge, but its nothing compared to what these people must feel before taking such drastic actions.

Avril said...

On the brighter side ... as I have already commented above ... my Yes/Today/Tom's are all over the garden - the one more in the shade, flowers last. I would try again - you WILL have success!

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

What a sad time for the family. Suicide is so unfair for the people left behind.

A few years ago, at the house three down from ours the husband shot the wife and then himself. The house sat empty for a couple of years, and now the couples son lives there. I often wonder how he can.

Unknown said...

How awful! I really hate to hear about situations like that and it really hurts to know it is happening so near to you.

Beautiful post...you have a flair for writing :) x