Tell Me Why

-
A couple of weeks ago a couple of kids started a dog on fire here in Buffalo. Thankfully the dog survived.

This past weekend a couple of people decided to beat up a 96-year-old man during a robbery. The old guy is also hanging in there.

Can you explain why those things happened?

I get that there is a real disconnect between what should happen and what does happen. I do understand that there's just a meanness in this world, but seriously. Can you even imagine watching either of those things go down?

Can you tell me why a young woman who'd been busted for drunk driving a few years ago would get back behind the wheel, again, drunk as a skunk, cross a center line and plow into a mother and her child? Mom has survived so far. The baby did not.

Why, after all the time and effort put into it do we still have drunk drivers? Will it ever end?

Can you tell me why a couple of men in the Niagara Falls area would drive by a car and open fire?

The only person in the car was a toddler who took gun shots to the face.

What could that baby have done to become a victim of a drive-by shooting?

Can you tell me why every single story on the news seems to be more horrible then the one before?

In my job I get to meet all sorts of people. I was teaching a class a few weeks back when one of the men told me that he needed me to 'cover for him' for an hour as he had to go to court.

"I can't do that," I said.

"Well, I either attend all of the class or I go to jail," he said. "I don't want to go to jail because I have a baby at home. I need the class to be able to work. What can you do for me?"

The guy was sort of defiant. I decided to be the same.

"How is this my problem?" I asked.

"I made mistakes," he said. "I just need to start over. Can you help?"

I don't know what made me do it, but I asked.

"Why did you get arrested?" I asked.

"Selling," he said. "Second time."

"Can you help me?" he asked as I turned away.

"I will if you answer me a question," I said.

"Anything," he responded. He had jewelry stuck in holes he made all over his face.

"Can you tell me why you'd bring a kid in the world if you don't intend on being a man?"

He just stared at me. I'm sure he wanted to punch me, but he needed me, so he didn't.

"I'm trying to do better," he said. "Will you help?"

I stayed an extra hour to teach him the part of the lesson that he missed. I listened to him tell me time and again that he was starting all over, clean and sober.

Tell me why, after reading the news, I don't believe him.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more