Well, I'm here.
Safe and sound, for those of you who wondered. Work is enjoyable and laid-backish, but something's been pointed out at me that overwhelms any intent to further discuss my well-being.
See, I wasn't one to get along with many people in high school. I had a few close-knit friends, and some others that I knew and liked and got along with, but not many in either category. So when news happens involving former schoolmates of mine, it really gets my attention, especially with those I knew fairly well and did get along with. One of those people was killed four years ago, struck by a train while on his Mormon mission to Argentina. Another, I've just found out, is on life support in a Phoenix hospital.
When you're studying to become a member of the media, you tend to wind up looking at tragedy with almost a ho-hum, 'Golly that sucks, say a quick prayer and move on' attitude when it's all said and done, and to some extent it's natural, for being inundated with it would numb most people. However, there's always those stories which hit home even with those desensitized as I have largely been. Jon's death was not the first time I'd had to hear of a former schoolmate's death, but it left a mark on my psyche, as happens - to varying degrees - anytime someone we know personally suffers an unexpected tragedy. Now, to find out about Paul, who decided to be, of all things, a police officer - no one would have pegged him to be a cop, though not for reasons of character - just floors me.
Here is someone I knew, I grew up with, made acquaintances with, and it's very possible that he may not survive his accident, where he was responding to an all-too common call of a domestic dispute when he lost control of his cruiser and rolled it. It really puts more important things in perspective. Paul was class president the year after I graduated. He was well liked in high school, and I am sure he's no less endearing now. My prayers go out to his parents, his fiancee, his brother Noah (whom I graduated with) and the rest of his family, that whatever result is to come may be made manifest quickly.
I would request that each and every one of you take some time to come up with at least one person whom you may consider a friend, perhaps just an acquaintance, and think about them, if only for a little while. Remember why you get along, why you're friends..whatever, because you never know when those you knew will be gone. I've forgotten why I got along with them in school, but I know I'll continue to carry Paul in my thoughts, and Jon as well, especially given the reminders.
See, I wasn't one to get along with many people in high school. I had a few close-knit friends, and some others that I knew and liked and got along with, but not many in either category. So when news happens involving former schoolmates of mine, it really gets my attention, especially with those I knew fairly well and did get along with. One of those people was killed four years ago, struck by a train while on his Mormon mission to Argentina. Another, I've just found out, is on life support in a Phoenix hospital.
When you're studying to become a member of the media, you tend to wind up looking at tragedy with almost a ho-hum, 'Golly that sucks, say a quick prayer and move on' attitude when it's all said and done, and to some extent it's natural, for being inundated with it would numb most people. However, there's always those stories which hit home even with those desensitized as I have largely been. Jon's death was not the first time I'd had to hear of a former schoolmate's death, but it left a mark on my psyche, as happens - to varying degrees - anytime someone we know personally suffers an unexpected tragedy. Now, to find out about Paul, who decided to be, of all things, a police officer - no one would have pegged him to be a cop, though not for reasons of character - just floors me.
Here is someone I knew, I grew up with, made acquaintances with, and it's very possible that he may not survive his accident, where he was responding to an all-too common call of a domestic dispute when he lost control of his cruiser and rolled it. It really puts more important things in perspective. Paul was class president the year after I graduated. He was well liked in high school, and I am sure he's no less endearing now. My prayers go out to his parents, his fiancee, his brother Noah (whom I graduated with) and the rest of his family, that whatever result is to come may be made manifest quickly.
I would request that each and every one of you take some time to come up with at least one person whom you may consider a friend, perhaps just an acquaintance, and think about them, if only for a little while. Remember why you get along, why you're friends..whatever, because you never know when those you knew will be gone. I've forgotten why I got along with them in school, but I know I'll continue to carry Paul in my thoughts, and Jon as well, especially given the reminders.