Like almost anything, Facebook can be good or bad

This past week, alot of you may have read in the newspaper about the 24 year old young man who was in the Olmsted County Jail, and was found dead.  That young man was my ex-husbands nephew, Cody.  I haven't seen Cody for a few years since my divorce, but I knew him well when he was young, and am still close with the family.  My point is, Facebook has been a very large tool in communicating with family and friends who are grieving, and people sending condolences.  Whenever something tragic happens nowdays, it is on Facebook.  There are caring bridges and memorial pages for people to communicate.  I absolutely love this feature of Facebook.  It can bring people together from thousands of miles away.
Facebook can also be used in a bad way.  Living out your drama for the world to read about, or fueding with another person for everyone to view.  This is the feature of Facebook that I dislike immensely.  The old saying goes; "If you don't have anything good to say, then don't say anything at all."  In my opinion, if you have nothing good to write on facebook, then don't write anything.

Suicide at Silver Lake Park

As I watched the news on KTTC tonight at 6:00 p.m., I was shocked to hear of the suicide that occured this afternoon in Silver Lake Park in Rochester.  The news reported that the male who killed himself was between 16 and 23 years old.  To make matters worse, he shot himself in front of a group of kids who were skate-boarding in the park.  I can't imagine what would drive a person to do such a thing.  I also cannot imagine what the skate-boarders thought when shots were being fired.  The deceased had shot 6 rounds into a tree in the park before turning the gun on himself.  When a person commits suicide, I feel very sad for his or her families, who are left behind to deal with everything.  We get one life, and it goes by so quickly.  I hope that anyone who may be having suicidal thoughts gets the help that they need. 

Rest in Peace Dave

I met Dave through his wife, who was a friend of mine.  Dave grew up in California, and had moved to Minnesota a few months before I met him.  I don't have alot of "guy friends", but as soon as I was introduced to Dave, I knew we would be close, lifetime friends.  Dave was one of those people who I would describe as "cool".  He was easy-going, funny, caring, and a hundred other descriptive words. 
Dave did not ask for much in life, and he did not expect much either.  Dave was very tall, and very skinny.  He had long, dark hair and also a mustache and beard that were overgrown and scraggly.  When we two couples went on vacation to Jamaica, all the natives called Dave "Jesus" - that gives you a mental picture of what Dave looked like! 
Even though Dave put on a tough-guy exterior, he was a sweetheart.  On Valentine's Day one year, when I was going through my divorce, Dave left an unsigned card and a rose on my car windshield!  He did not want me to be sad or lonely on Valentine's Day.  He would not have told me it was him that left the rose, but I told his wife I thought it was him, and when she asked him, he said yes, that it was him.  In the Winter when my water pipes froze in the basement and burst, I called Dave.  He came right over, and got the main water shut off; but only after getting frostbite on his fingers. 
Dave and his wife were going through a divorce a few years ago.  One day, he said he was going fishing, which was not out of the ordinary.  Dave went under a bridge in Lanesboro, sat down in a lawn chair, and shot himself.  It took me totally by suprise because I thought of Dave as such a strong person. 
One of Dave's favorite songs was "Mas Tequila", and when I hear that song, I think of Dave.  When I drive over the bridge where he killed himself, I yell out "Hey Dave" to him.  I think of Dave often, and wish he was still here to tease me the way he always did, and make me laugh uncontrollably. 

How Are Classes Going For Everyone?

I am learning to find time in my schedule to get my classwork done.  That was one of my biggest challenges, and biggest fears, as I started online classes.  I am hoping things keep moving along smoothly.  I hope everyone else is finding class to be exciting like I am.  I also hope that all of us students in the class can be there for each other, and help each other out if we need it.  I certainly will help anyone in class if I am able to.  Have a great weekend everybody!

Roll With The Changes

"If your tired of the same old story, turn some pages."  This is part of the song "Roll With The Changes," by
the group R.E.O. Speedwagon.  This song, and especially this sentence from the song, helped me to get through my divorce several years ago.  I had been unhappy in the marriage for quite awhile, and this line told me that I was the only person who could make the changes I wanted to make in my life. Its great how music can mean so much to a person.  Music can take your mind back to a certain time or place; it can remind you of a person, or a feeling.  It can transform your mood, pick you up when you are having a bad day, or make you sad.  Music is such a huge part of my life, and alot of people's lives.  I believe it is more a part of our lives than we even realize.