Giving Thanks Strikes Close To Home.

Got an internal email from work this morning. The long time VP of the department I work in was off on a trip overseas to visit our "off shore" offices. The day he came home (this past Friday), his wife suddenly and unexpectedly took ill. He had just a couple of short hours to be by her side before she passed away. She was only in her early 60's.

We are all disheartened with this news. A few of us senior associates were talking among ourselves. I recalled about 20 years ago the VP's daughter shot herself in the head with VP's revolver in a wooded area near the school or their house (I can't recall exactly). A few friends were with her when she took out the revolver and was making suicide threats. Her friends ran off to get help, but she was dead when an adult showed up. She was 16. The line at the funeral home was out the door and down the street. Hundreds of people from work and his home town showed up.

So much strife in peoples life. So much pain. Being that Thanksgiving and Christmas are rapidly approaching makes it even harder to bear.

You never know what God has planned.

Give thanks if your family is safe and well.

Take solace from God and your family/friends when things are bad.

When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
When you're sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on....

REM

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Regards,

Mark

Re: Giving Thanks Strikes Close To Home.

Amen, bro.

Re: Giving Thanks Strikes Close To Home.

sasto said:

Amen, bro.

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Amen is right! Thank you!

Wife and I delivered Thanksgiving meals this Saturday to the needy. One particular residence was for a woman we know from Church. About 45 yrs old, the woman uses a walker, but can drive the small compact car she owns.

The conditions of this womans house was horrible. Garbage everywhere, bugs and flies all over inside the house. After about 2 minutes in the kitchen my wife turns and runs out. I followed to find her throwing up in the street. That is how bad the smell in the house was. I was not far behind her, but managed to hold my stomach back.

We deliver food throughout the year (not just for holidays, but once a month). This time of year it is especially upsetting to see how some people live. Especially those who receive help but do not progress to eventually being self sufficient. People we deliver to are only on the list for less than a year and a half. Most are on less than 6 months before getting back on their feet.

Be thankful for what your have. Your health, your mind, your beliefs. There is no shame it taking help from friends.

Regards,

Mark.

Re: Giving Thanks Strikes Close To Home.

The most valuable lesson I have learned was from the passing of my first wife........ Never take anything for granted.....God is in charge.

Sorry to hear of your co-worker's loss.

Keep up the good work Mark.

Re: Giving Thanks Strikes Close To Home.

It's hard to not take the good things in your life for granted. Even after you suffer your own hardship, and things get better, you seem to get back into a routine, and you barely notice as conscious gratitude slips away. Being thankful must be a conscious and recurring effort, but is well rewarded in a more balanced life. Thanks for the reminder of all I have to be thankful for.

Re: Giving Thanks Strikes Close To Home.

lakelover said:

It's hard to not take the good things in your life for granted. Even after you suffer your own hardship, and things get better, you seem to get back into a routine, and you barely notice as conscious gratitude slips away. Being thankful must be a conscious and recurring effort, but is well rewarded in a more balanced life. Thanks for the reminder of all I have to be thankful for.

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Oh boy, I could not have expressed that idea better. It is so true. That is why I find it so important to attend church service on a regular basis. I may skip every 3rd or 4th week, but its important to keep the tradition going so you get the message on a regular basis.

Re: Giving Thanks Strikes Close To Home.

He should be thankful for the couple of hours he got to see her. The man above has the plan and is in charge of everything.