Because most philosophies that frown on reproduction don't survive.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Intimations of Mortality

We all know it, of course, but lately I've been confronted with the fact that life may end suddenly, at any stage. This past week, an old friend dropped dead of a heart attack at age 30. And yesterday, my 15-year-old brother was walking to the bus from school when some guy came out of a parking lot, pulled a gun on him, and demanded his backpack. Fortunately my brother was unharmed and the most important thing that was lost was his American History textbook (he had his cell phone, his iPod, and his wallet in his pockets), but WHAT THE HECK? This crazy person might have killed my brother over a bag of schoolbooks. A brother, a son, a friend, and an all-around good guy might have been lost to the world for the sake of the few items someone thought a schoolkid would carry.

My brother is taking it all in good stride, though he was understandably shaken. I'm full of gratitude today that the people I love are alive and unharmed, which seems a bit less certain than it did yesterday morning.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad he's ok! Sheesh.

Bill Hoog said...

What a coincidence! We just went to the funeral of the son of some VERY GOOD friends who died of a heart attack at 30!

Eternal rest grant unto them, Oh Lord, and let the Perpetual Light shine upon them.

Glad to hear your brother is safe. May God and his angels protect him!

mrsdarwin said...

You up in Dayton, Bill?

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your friend.

Your brother may need some martial arts classes. Increase self-confidence if nothing else. Some kinda history lesson...

mrsdarwin said...

Cliff, I told him he might want to consider taking krav maga.

Bill Hoog said...

Mrs.D-
Yes Ma'am! Guess we knew the same young man. He was a good young man from a very good family.

Anonymous said...

Cliff, I told him he might want to consider taking krav maga.

I *knew* you were ex-Mossad, Mrs. D!

In all seriousness, I'm glad to hear that your brother is okay. Condolences to the family of the young man.

mrsdarwin said...

If you drop me a line, Bill, I'll tell you how I know the family.

Smiley said...

when we went to school we were not allowed to carry anything to school that we did not need, we only carried books, pens, pensicls and a compass box. anyone who bought in anything else, the teachers would confiscate the same. A note would be sent to the parents that the child was not folowing the ruels of the school. I guess those were much better days.
Thank God your brother is better.