April 9, 2010

in an instant

whenever i bitch and whine i find that something reminds me of all that i'm grateful for - whenever i really feel sorry for myself, i a reminded that tragedies surround us and that i should treasure and savor each moment i am granted with my friends and loved ones.

yesterday was one of those normal days - all day meeting, i was whining about being tired and brain numb when the doorbell rang.  my wonderful neighbor had been killed during my 'bad day'.  he was on the job when a co-worker was robbed at gunpoint.  beau struggled to stop the robber and was shot in the process.

one of the nicest people i've met since moving home - gone in an instant - gone while trying to do the right thing. 

it puts things in perspective...doesn't it?

40 comments:

  1. how awful! and, yes, that would put things immediately into perspective.

    btw...i found you through beth @ be yourself.

    ps...i just love your tagline...i think i could steal it (my two faves!) ;-)

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  2. Oh, Char - how terrible. I'm sorry to hear about your neighbor - such a senseless tragedy.

    Perspective is one of those socked-in-the-stomach type things, I think - at least that seems like what it usually takes for me to gain some...

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  3. gosh, what an horrific event to be caught up in - how awful and such a potent reminder of all to be grateful for. I feel the same when I feel sorry for myself, I have to remind myself how lucky I am.

    Heartfelt thoughts for your neighbour.

    Amelia.x

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  4. OMGosh...In a split second someone is taken from us. Seems like it's always the one trying to do the right thing. So yes, its like that slap up side the head that makes us do a reality check and think...Our lives are not so bad afterall.
    Gosh I'm so sorry.....

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  5. The real world always reminds us doesn't it?

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  6. Holy crap! I hate hearing things like this. I am sorry. But yes, puts it all into perspective...

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  7. oh char..
    it does put things in perspective and i can't even imagine how your heart and your head felt when you heard this news...

    how old was beau ?

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  8. so sorry...so surreal when this news comes .. blessings friend ... perfect picture btw

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  9. Char I am so sorry to hear this, what a senseless tragedy. you are probably in shock. just terrible news....

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  10. So sorry...getting perspective can be a real kick in the pants, sometimes. Love the photo you chose.

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  11. SO sorry to hear of such a tragic loss...
    I remember listening to this podcast titled "It could be better, but it could be SO much worse" - it was all about putting things into perspective.
    Hope you are doing as well even in this circumstance.

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  12. Char, I too am so sorry for this tragedy. It's impossible to make sense of these acts and yet somehow, they shockingly and suddenly make sense of our lives. We immediately "get" what's important and what's not and wonder how we could ever have forgotten. ((Hugs.))

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  13. What a senseless tragedy. I'm so sorry to read about this, for you and for Beau's family. Much peace to you.

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  14. Char, I am so so sorry.
    It's humbling at times
    when it takes tragedy
    to remind us how truly
    fragile each breath is.
    I wish you well, as well
    as the friends and family
    of your friend Beau.

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  15. Char, I'm so sorry. It's not enough, I know but I'm truly sad.

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  16. Yes, it does bring perspective back to us. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend and neighbour. It is a horrible and senseless loss.

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  17. a couple weeks ago i was having my own 'bad day', complaining about my hair and headache and a stain on my favorite sweater...and then we talked about women in afghanistan in my politics class.

    thank goodness for moments of perspective.

    :)

    xo Alison

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  18. I am so sorry Char... We have had a lot of deaths in my community recently so i know how you feel..
    It really gets you humbled..

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  19. Oh you know it...I completely relate to this- just when you think your life is crappy, shitty, you name it- something happens or you hear of something that makes your life not seem so bad after all..I think it's just human nature to get so caught up in our own little world that we forget there are millions out there who only wish they could have a life like us..
    I'm so very sorry to hear about your friend...what a tragic loss...hugs from Norway

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  20. Wow. That's so sad but so real. Life is very...unpredictable. And when you hear of things like this, it's hard to not suddenly feel like you've been slapped across the face and told "See? You really don't have it so bad." Thanks for sharing this.

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  21. Char just joining the list of people hugging you right now so sorry for the shock and the loss. Breathe just breathe
    hugs for you

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  22. Oh my goodness, my goodness. It certainly does. My heart goes out to his family and you too. Just awful.

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  23. oh...my...that is awful Char...
    and yes...it certainly does put it in perspective...prayers~

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  24. Oh my goodness Char, what a sobering experience... I'm thinking of you and the other people whose lives your neighbour touched... lots of hugs

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  25. omg. that is so awful. cant imagine how you must have felt.

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  26. gosh that's sad! His poor family. What a shock.

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  27. O this is such sad news. Blessings to him and all the people that will sorely miss him.

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  28. it truly does put things in perspective. how very tragic.
    many prayers and blessings to him and his family.

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  29. thank you for this post..sometimes we all need to be reminded.

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  30. It really does, it really does.

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  31. I am so sorry for your loss. We have just experienced a tragic loss of life here too. It hard seems fair when the innocent are taken away.

    Because it was my daughter friend that was murmured it is hard for me to explain to here the "WHY" in it all. Kids just want to know why and I have no answers.

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  32. My God, yes. It sure does, my friend.

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  33. I am so sorry to hear... And you are right. Perspective can come so suddenly into focus...

    -maria

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  34. I understand completely...I've had a lot of perspective in my life. So sorry for his family's and your loss.

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  35. oh no! that's awful. what a sad story. it does put things in perspective.

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i feel as if each comment was between us as we sat and sipped something warm....i love to hear what you're thinking.