So...Robin Williams is dead. So are others like Michael Jackson. In some cases . Being entertainers or sports people the cause of death for many entertainers like these was suicide or drug overdose. It is true that we really do not have a full understanding of the 'why" of suicides, although in some cases there was an underlying addiction. We mourn these people because of their tragic death and we are apt to celebrate their lives for the many good things that they have done.
Yet, I cannot but think of some little old black lady in Washington D.C. who has two jobs and is doing her best to raise her children or grandchildren. She is there but you and I will never know her name. There are those who defy great odds to come to America for a better life, as most of our ancestors did, and the stories of their lives and their journey would cause us to weep. We "celebrate" them by the many ways we tell them that they are not wanted, some obvious and some subtle.
Yes, we should be grateful for those who have given us so much of their lives. Being entertainers or sports people is not an easy job. Yet we have to be careful when we "idolize' them to the point that we neglect the others. How many of us know and celebrate people like our wounded military suffering with PTSD, many of who give up and also commit suicide? Do we recall their names?
What is to be said of a President who goes to Chicago on Memorial Day and sends a "delegate' to Arlington Cemetery? Are we any better? How many of us visit cemeteries whether for military fallen or for our dead family members? Are those names on the tombstones just names?
We are falling short in values and we need to take a good look at ourselves.
If we realize it or not we are being tested. Let us not idolize the wrong thing but learn to celebrate what is right and good. That is what truly strong people do.
Yet, I cannot but think of some little old black lady in Washington D.C. who has two jobs and is doing her best to raise her children or grandchildren. She is there but you and I will never know her name. There are those who defy great odds to come to America for a better life, as most of our ancestors did, and the stories of their lives and their journey would cause us to weep. We "celebrate" them by the many ways we tell them that they are not wanted, some obvious and some subtle.
Yes, we should be grateful for those who have given us so much of their lives. Being entertainers or sports people is not an easy job. Yet we have to be careful when we "idolize' them to the point that we neglect the others. How many of us know and celebrate people like our wounded military suffering with PTSD, many of who give up and also commit suicide? Do we recall their names?
What is to be said of a President who goes to Chicago on Memorial Day and sends a "delegate' to Arlington Cemetery? Are we any better? How many of us visit cemeteries whether for military fallen or for our dead family members? Are those names on the tombstones just names?
We are falling short in values and we need to take a good look at ourselves.
If we realize it or not we are being tested. Let us not idolize the wrong thing but learn to celebrate what is right and good. That is what truly strong people do.
