Autumn

It's the time of year
that winter draws near;
cold winds begin to blow,
green things no longer grow.

Gold, red, orange and brown
leaves are falling to the ground.
Sweaters and jackets are what we wear;
pumpkins and apples are sold everywhere.

Winter's coming that is for sure;
snow will cover the ground so pure.
Those are the days I think unfair,
I can't hibernate, cuz I'm not a bear.

The days are short and the nights are long,
a tropical island is where I belong.
Following along with nature's rhythm
we celebrate harvest during autumn.

Reasons

Most people wonder why things happen, some do not. I can't imagine going through life never asking the question, "WHY?", can you? I always want to know the reason for everything. I am like that inquisitive 5 year old that won't stop asking, "Why is the sky blue?, Why do zebras have stripes instead of spots?".
Many people just accept things for what they are and never question it. I have always wanted to know why things happen.
I am a Bible believer so(hey, don't roll your eyes)I have read and believe that for every thing there is a time and a reason. There is a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to harvest; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to cry and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;.... you get the idea, right? Because of this third chapter of Ecclesiastes found in the Old Testament of the Bible I think that all things happen for some reason, and I want to know that reason. I have discovered that not all things are to be known, at least not at the time you wish to know them; but all things have a purpose just as all created things have a purpose, just as all people have a purpose. It's hard to find out what that purpose is sometimes but there is one, that I believe to be true.
It is very hard for me to accept that there are somethings I just won't ever understand, I hold on to hope that as my life continues and as I grow and develop that I will learn more and more of God's purpose for me and and explanation for the things I don't understand. The more I learn the more I find that I have YET to learn. So I am always looking for the reason for what happens, hoping to learn yet another life lesson. I will always ask why and as long as I live, I will learn more reasons I will find to keep asking "WHY?".

Grief

Just in case anyone reading this blog feels that I am thick skinned and heartless, I just wanted to invite you to read the posts that I will have in my next Blog. I will be starting a Blog on a new topic (I haven't decided what to call it yet) dealing with death. I will write more on this topic in that blog. The posting in this blog about Melissa Shaw was written in the spirit of her strength not to make light of the loss we all feel. So don't go hating on me for the things in that post, OK, just read the next Blog on a new topic.
I realize that dealing with death is hard and each person has to handle it individually. I just wanted to clear up any misconceptions about my statement about "making it about you" in the previous post. Some just go too far with it that is all I meant to say. Oh and read my next Blog.

Melissa Shaw

It helps to write about things, it really does. It also helps to know that you are not alone when you are scared or sad. That is why I am writing about this, the death of Melissa Shaw's body. I say body because that is all that has died. Her spirit still lives, out there somewhere in eternity. Her legacy lives on, as long as we remember her. Death is never easy to deal with. Death doesn't always have to be an ending. It is our choice to find a positive way to handle a negitive situation.
Melissa Shaw was a strong person, everyone that new her well will testify to that. She lost her mother two years ago, almost to the exact date of her own death. I dare say that many people that met her during the time of her mother's death even knew she was greiving. She was a rock. A tower to which many of her friends could lean on. I beleive that one way to keep her legacy living is to stand in her place. Be that strong tower for those that need a refuge. She would have done that if the situation would have turned out differently. If she had survived and Jumper would have been lost, she would have been sad, there is no doubt about that; but she would have been strong for her friends and loved ones. She would have reached out to hold all that need holding and comfort those that needed it. She also would have been the one to grab someone by the sholders and shake them and say "Get a grip, this ain't about you." Ok maybe it wouldn't be those exact words but you know what I mean.
So take some time to greive, then stand strong as Melissa would have and don't make this about yourself. She hated drama, that is one of the last public statements she made was that she hated drama, so don't turn this into a contest to see who can break down the most, who was the dearest friend, who loved her more than anyone else. Please honor her as she would want to be honored. Grieve, get over it and be strong, stand Melissa Shaw Strong!