My friend's daughter's funeral was this week. She died because first she got into a car with a drunk driver. Second because she didn't wear her seat belt. Those two decisions may have ended a life way to early. The wake for this young lady was 6 hours long. Well over five hundred people attended. At least half were young adults. All crying and saying "what a shame." As i stood in line with several of my co-workers. I wondered why, and what would i do if in her mom's place. How can you tell a child don't do this thing. When most if not all of us have done it. Driven drunk, and not worn our seat belts. We are supposed to be the example.
When my daughter heard the story. Her first question was "why would someone so smart.Get in to a car with someone who is drunk?" I couldn't answer her. I said "well maybe her judgement was impaired. Because she may have been drinking as well. Maybe she didn't know the person well enough and felt awkward about saying no." All these answers sounded so dumb when I told her. Mainly because i didn't have the answer for her.Aah the joys of parenthood.
My co-workers and i after the wake went out to have a drink(here comes the irony). The wake and the bar are only two blocks from where I live. So no driving for me. The other six people all lived between 2 to 10 miles from where we were. One of the ladies was driving 75 miles to start her vacation that night. We all sat in the bar and had 2 to three drinks apiece( one girl had water after her first beer, and she wasn't driving).The first round what did we do. Raised our glasses and toasted Anna.
So think for yourselves. First how would you have answered my daughter's question. Then second if you have children remember they're always watching and we are the examples for them.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
WHY OH WHY
Today was a glorious day. Went to services and praised our lord and savior Jesus. Came home and gave my daughter a ride to work. Did a little shopping. Decided to go for a hike up through the Blue Hills. In the New England region these mountains offer some of the greatest views imaginable.
Took some fantastic photos. I also did some soul searching while I enjoyed God's creations. He truly made a remarkable world for us to enjoy. When I got home my son told me a colleague from work had called. I returned the call, and I wished I hadn't. She was calling to tell me that a fellow nurse's daughter had been killed. She had died about 1:o'clock in the morning on Saturday.
The car she had been in had smashed into a tree. The driver had been drinking. So then his fiance( Mother of their 4 week old child), My friends daughter and her boyfriend got in this car to go get something to eat. Speed and alcohol came into play, and in a matter of minutes everyone but the driver had been killed. Witnesses said that the crash was so bad. The cars engine flew out of the vehicle. God then called 3 young lives home. Their ages were 20,21,2o. My friend's daughter had just started a new job the week before. She was also studying to become a paralegal. A life and a career snuffed out in a moment of time. Over a good time with alcohol.
I cannot imagine what my friend is going through right now. I know and have the faith that this young women is home with our lord.
People will ask "How can god be so cruel?" I don't believe it was God's doing to make the driver have a drink. That was his choice. I just cannot believe that it was God who made that driver speed,just so he could go and get a taco. That again was his choice. Because of the choices that he made. God let him live with the realization that he took 3 lives. My faith tells me those 2 girls and 1 boy are home in heaven. I hope and have faith that god took them quickly, and didn't let them suffer.
I pray for all the families that have been affected by this tragedy. I cannot imagine or even want too the pain they're experiencing. I ask all that read this blog ( if anyone). Hug your own family members. Please, oh please don't get behind the wheel of a car if you have been drinking. I have witnessed this tragedy over and over again. Thank you all for listening to an old mans rant.
Took some fantastic photos. I also did some soul searching while I enjoyed God's creations. He truly made a remarkable world for us to enjoy. When I got home my son told me a colleague from work had called. I returned the call, and I wished I hadn't. She was calling to tell me that a fellow nurse's daughter had been killed. She had died about 1:o'clock in the morning on Saturday.
The car she had been in had smashed into a tree. The driver had been drinking. So then his fiance( Mother of their 4 week old child), My friends daughter and her boyfriend got in this car to go get something to eat. Speed and alcohol came into play, and in a matter of minutes everyone but the driver had been killed. Witnesses said that the crash was so bad. The cars engine flew out of the vehicle. God then called 3 young lives home. Their ages were 20,21,2o. My friend's daughter had just started a new job the week before. She was also studying to become a paralegal. A life and a career snuffed out in a moment of time. Over a good time with alcohol.
I cannot imagine what my friend is going through right now. I know and have the faith that this young women is home with our lord.
People will ask "How can god be so cruel?" I don't believe it was God's doing to make the driver have a drink. That was his choice. I just cannot believe that it was God who made that driver speed,just so he could go and get a taco. That again was his choice. Because of the choices that he made. God let him live with the realization that he took 3 lives. My faith tells me those 2 girls and 1 boy are home in heaven. I hope and have faith that god took them quickly, and didn't let them suffer.
I pray for all the families that have been affected by this tragedy. I cannot imagine or even want too the pain they're experiencing. I ask all that read this blog ( if anyone). Hug your own family members. Please, oh please don't get behind the wheel of a car if you have been drinking. I have witnessed this tragedy over and over again. Thank you all for listening to an old mans rant.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Happy fourth of July. Our country is 233 yrs of age. Still young compared to the other nations of the world. Still acting like we should run everything. Yet shouldn't we clean up our own backyard first.
Our economy is still a mess, and the government is making little headway is solving the problems. Jobless rate is up to 9.5%. Homelessness is rising. I have also read that bank regulators have closed banks. All this news is very dire to read.
I am concerned that during all this the leading news is still Michael Jackson. I feel this is the medias attempt to lead us away from the other news.Such as North Korea testing Missiles. The supreme court nominee's major decision on the New haven Firefighters is over turned. Still we go on, despite all of this. This story is not meant as a criticism. Rather it is meant as a complement. Because in no other country. Could we even think of putting our criticisms and concerns in writing. I applaud our nation.
I believe that we will come through this time of crisis. I believe that with God's help influencing our leaders decisions.I pray for the soldiers that our still fighting for our country. To some people who observed this celebration. It may appear like Nero fiddling while Rome burns. But I think that this celebration is a reminder of what we a Americans can do.
Lets stop concerning ourselves with celebrity lives and start looking at our own. Lets raise our children, instead of allowing them to grow up. My mother and father used to say" we're not here to be your friends, those you can make on your own. We're here to teach you right from wrong, and the consequences of wrong choices.To show you how to respect your elders. To be examples of what is good and right about people."
As I grow older. I remember these words more and more. I miss my parents, my wife, my brothers and sisters on this day. Why? Because this day was also about the American family, and how we would have to stay together through the good and the bad. Supporting each other through thick and thin.
So again HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! Long may the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA stand
Our economy is still a mess, and the government is making little headway is solving the problems. Jobless rate is up to 9.5%. Homelessness is rising. I have also read that bank regulators have closed banks. All this news is very dire to read.
I am concerned that during all this the leading news is still Michael Jackson. I feel this is the medias attempt to lead us away from the other news.Such as North Korea testing Missiles. The supreme court nominee's major decision on the New haven Firefighters is over turned. Still we go on, despite all of this. This story is not meant as a criticism. Rather it is meant as a complement. Because in no other country. Could we even think of putting our criticisms and concerns in writing. I applaud our nation.
I believe that we will come through this time of crisis. I believe that with God's help influencing our leaders decisions.I pray for the soldiers that our still fighting for our country. To some people who observed this celebration. It may appear like Nero fiddling while Rome burns. But I think that this celebration is a reminder of what we a Americans can do.
Lets stop concerning ourselves with celebrity lives and start looking at our own. Lets raise our children, instead of allowing them to grow up. My mother and father used to say" we're not here to be your friends, those you can make on your own. We're here to teach you right from wrong, and the consequences of wrong choices.To show you how to respect your elders. To be examples of what is good and right about people."
As I grow older. I remember these words more and more. I miss my parents, my wife, my brothers and sisters on this day. Why? Because this day was also about the American family, and how we would have to stay together through the good and the bad. Supporting each other through thick and thin.
So again HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! Long may the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA stand
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
It amazes me as old as people get, how we still act like children. I was working today, and I overheard two people talking. Both of them were quite upset about there discussion. What it came down to they thought that another nurse and technician weren't doing as much work as they were. Now both of these people are well into there forties. Raised children and have grandchildren as well. Sounds like two adults, but they sounded like two kids.
" They haven't gotten one case all day" Nurse one says
" I know, they always get less cases. I think the flow nurse likes them better." Said tech one.
No, really the head nurse likes them better. Came out of a grown adult mouth. But the bottom line is that all of this was based upon their perception. You see if the two people had checked it out. That crew had been working through the night. Second while the first two were doing their case. The second crew was doing another case, and relieving people for lunches. So you see everything we do is based upon perception.
Rather than just do our jobs, we stand around watching and worrying about what the other guy is doing. Wasting time and starting rumors. Creating dissension and hurting peoples feelings. So how do you stop this from happening. Try to remember we're adults and should act accordingly.I know this is easier said then done. All we can do is try.
Just a passing thought. To raise some questions about our own actions.
" They haven't gotten one case all day" Nurse one says
" I know, they always get less cases. I think the flow nurse likes them better." Said tech one.
No, really the head nurse likes them better. Came out of a grown adult mouth. But the bottom line is that all of this was based upon their perception. You see if the two people had checked it out. That crew had been working through the night. Second while the first two were doing their case. The second crew was doing another case, and relieving people for lunches. So you see everything we do is based upon perception.
Rather than just do our jobs, we stand around watching and worrying about what the other guy is doing. Wasting time and starting rumors. Creating dissension and hurting peoples feelings. So how do you stop this from happening. Try to remember we're adults and should act accordingly.I know this is easier said then done. All we can do is try.
Just a passing thought. To raise some questions about our own actions.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Never Judge a Book By It's Cover
Sunday morning started out great. Made my famous waffles for breakfast. Off to church. Then on the way home stopped by a couple of places so my son could look for work. Day proceeded even better. Went to Starbucks after dropping my daughter off at work. Was able to write about 1500 words. So story is at 3300 words. cannot wait to do the editing.
So now my daughter calls me to inform me that one of her customers accused her of being a racist. Which if you knew my daughter would be laughable. It is also amusing because her bosses are all people of color. You see she works in a shoe store, and when she was trained she was told that if anyone enters the store with large bags. Then the girls must watch them. So this family of color came into the store. She greeted them and asked if she could be of service. They refused very annoyed at being asked. She noticed that each had large shopping bags, and asked if they wanted to leave them in the front so as not to have to carry them around. Giving the customers more freedom to look around. She does this for all customers per her managers protocols.Again very annoyed they refused. So then the family proceeded down one of the aisles. The only other customer in the store was checking out( Nicole describes him as a regular, and likes him because and I quote " He is the first gay man of color she has ever met,And he helped her pick out a great pair of shoes." My daughter could care less your color or religion. Only thing she cares about is how you treat and act towards her.
So to make a long story short. The family got upset and said my daughter was watching them because they were only black people in the store . Nicole's response " No we watch all people with large shopping bags, and when your the only customers in a 3 aisle shoe store. You kind of do get watched." Then she said her manager Heather came out when she heard the remark. Her reply was " Come back anytime. We appreciate your business. Have a nice day."
The family stood there looking at Heather staring because Heather is a very stunning women. She is of Asian and African descent, and is also wheelchair bound. None of which makes a bit of difference because I have raised Nicole, and John to treat people like you would care to be treated. Not on how they look. Just on their actions. To see past the color barrier. Because Idiots and Morons come in all shapes, sizes and color.
Because after all people sometimes stare at me. Should I assume it is because I am a large Fat man or maybe because my fly was open. Either way Try to look at the larger picture. We have a man of color in the white house calling for change. So why not lets all try to change and see how that works out for us. Because the old ways really do not ever work. So why not be American people, and not African, Irish, Mexican, Italian or any other people. Let try being Americans
Sorry for the rant, but just a father trying to protect his daughter from the stupidity in this world
So now my daughter calls me to inform me that one of her customers accused her of being a racist. Which if you knew my daughter would be laughable. It is also amusing because her bosses are all people of color. You see she works in a shoe store, and when she was trained she was told that if anyone enters the store with large bags. Then the girls must watch them. So this family of color came into the store. She greeted them and asked if she could be of service. They refused very annoyed at being asked. She noticed that each had large shopping bags, and asked if they wanted to leave them in the front so as not to have to carry them around. Giving the customers more freedom to look around. She does this for all customers per her managers protocols.Again very annoyed they refused. So then the family proceeded down one of the aisles. The only other customer in the store was checking out( Nicole describes him as a regular, and likes him because and I quote " He is the first gay man of color she has ever met,And he helped her pick out a great pair of shoes." My daughter could care less your color or religion. Only thing she cares about is how you treat and act towards her.
So to make a long story short. The family got upset and said my daughter was watching them because they were only black people in the store . Nicole's response " No we watch all people with large shopping bags, and when your the only customers in a 3 aisle shoe store. You kind of do get watched." Then she said her manager Heather came out when she heard the remark. Her reply was " Come back anytime. We appreciate your business. Have a nice day."
The family stood there looking at Heather staring because Heather is a very stunning women. She is of Asian and African descent, and is also wheelchair bound. None of which makes a bit of difference because I have raised Nicole, and John to treat people like you would care to be treated. Not on how they look. Just on their actions. To see past the color barrier. Because Idiots and Morons come in all shapes, sizes and color.
Because after all people sometimes stare at me. Should I assume it is because I am a large Fat man or maybe because my fly was open. Either way Try to look at the larger picture. We have a man of color in the white house calling for change. So why not lets all try to change and see how that works out for us. Because the old ways really do not ever work. So why not be American people, and not African, Irish, Mexican, Italian or any other people. Let try being Americans
Sorry for the rant, but just a father trying to protect his daughter from the stupidity in this world
Saturday, June 27, 2009
How quickly time goes by
Another week ends, and oh what a week it has been. First Ed McMahon Dies, then Lovely Farrah goes next, and finally Michael Jackson. Three famous individuals all in the same expanse of time. Kind of shows us all how fleeting life really is, and it doesn't matter your economic status or fame. When God calls you home, then home is where you will go. I feel for all their loved ones. The same as I feel for the loss of anyone who has lost their life a their loved ones. I work in an environment where death is always the possibility. So if my meaning comes across as flippant Then please except my sincere apologies.
I have heard in the media what a gentleman Mr McMahon was, as how very courageous Farrah handle her death. Michael Jackson was a great entertainer with a lot of his own personal demons. The media now tries to make up for vilifying him, now to make him the greatest singer of all time. Oh how are attention span has shortened. My wife's favorite saying used to be " Please don't invite certain people. Because if they couldn't say anything nice while I was alive. Then I definitely don't want them at my funeral. "
Makes you kind of wonder doesn't it. I would like to see the media( radio, television, and the press.) Do the same type of tribute for every soldier, Police officer, Firefighter to the janitor. That they're overwhelmingly doing For Michael Jackson. Only to satisfy their sense of right and wrong. I have vented long enough. May god bless all the souls we have lost this week and comfort their families as well.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." Mat 6; 19, 20
Thank you all for taking time to read this, and stay tuned tomorrow a little more cheerfulness.
I have heard in the media what a gentleman Mr McMahon was, as how very courageous Farrah handle her death. Michael Jackson was a great entertainer with a lot of his own personal demons. The media now tries to make up for vilifying him, now to make him the greatest singer of all time. Oh how are attention span has shortened. My wife's favorite saying used to be " Please don't invite certain people. Because if they couldn't say anything nice while I was alive. Then I definitely don't want them at my funeral. "
Makes you kind of wonder doesn't it. I would like to see the media( radio, television, and the press.) Do the same type of tribute for every soldier, Police officer, Firefighter to the janitor. That they're overwhelmingly doing For Michael Jackson. Only to satisfy their sense of right and wrong. I have vented long enough. May god bless all the souls we have lost this week and comfort their families as well.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." Mat 6; 19, 20
Thank you all for taking time to read this, and stay tuned tomorrow a little more cheerfulness.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
From the mouths of Babes
Yesterday started like any other day of the week. It has been raining for four days here. So naturally I am getting ready to build the ark. Instead I drove my car into work, dodging the rivers that have formed where once roads lay ed. Now work on some days can be one of two choices. It can be moderately busy, or like yesterdays version of practicing medicine while a football game is in progress. Minus the referees of course.
So I was doingmy job. Which requires me to be in several locations at the same time doing multiple tasks.Think Michael Keaton in Multiplicity, minus the clones. Moving along I was helping to discharge one patient when across the playing field(oops) the unit I hear my name being called. I answer the person , which is then proceeded with the (here it comes) question" are you busy?" I think come on please. I am discharging here, then in slot 28 I am prepping a patient. Meanwhile The unit clerk needs to use the bathroom so I need to answer the phone. Then help another nurse steer the stretcher. So my answer is " No what do you need."
My day progresses like this for the next ten hours, minus the 45 minute lunch. At the peak of this insanity. I am in with a patient trying to control some bleeding that they have going on. The intercom barks my name. I tell them I am a little busy right now. The unit clerk says it is my daughter, and she says it is very important That she really needs to talk to me. My co-worker comes in immediately, so that I can answer this call. I am thinking
" House burned down, she is kidnapped, My son fell off the roof What?"
I pick up the call and she says in her most loving tones.
"Daddy(Yes she still calls me daddy at seventeen) we're out of grape jelly"
This was the emergency. The all important phone call. I start to laugh, and laugh to the point where people have that nervous he has gone insane look upon their faces.
" Put it on the grocery list i finally tell her. I will get it on Saturday. "
I hang up the phone. I am still chuckling to myself and go back to work for two more hours of insanity.
Once again a child has put the voice of reason into my job with those famous words. There is no grape jelly.
So I was doingmy job. Which requires me to be in several locations at the same time doing multiple tasks.Think Michael Keaton in Multiplicity, minus the clones. Moving along I was helping to discharge one patient when across the playing field(oops) the unit I hear my name being called. I answer the person , which is then proceeded with the (here it comes) question" are you busy?" I think come on please. I am discharging here, then in slot 28 I am prepping a patient. Meanwhile The unit clerk needs to use the bathroom so I need to answer the phone. Then help another nurse steer the stretcher. So my answer is " No what do you need."
My day progresses like this for the next ten hours, minus the 45 minute lunch. At the peak of this insanity. I am in with a patient trying to control some bleeding that they have going on. The intercom barks my name. I tell them I am a little busy right now. The unit clerk says it is my daughter, and she says it is very important That she really needs to talk to me. My co-worker comes in immediately, so that I can answer this call. I am thinking
" House burned down, she is kidnapped, My son fell off the roof What?"
I pick up the call and she says in her most loving tones.
"Daddy(Yes she still calls me daddy at seventeen) we're out of grape jelly"
This was the emergency. The all important phone call. I start to laugh, and laugh to the point where people have that nervous he has gone insane look upon their faces.
" Put it on the grocery list i finally tell her. I will get it on Saturday. "
I hang up the phone. I am still chuckling to myself and go back to work for two more hours of insanity.
Once again a child has put the voice of reason into my job with those famous words. There is no grape jelly.
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