A.D.D. Rumblings No. 10408

At this time I'd usually be expecting an email from Bethany mentioning the latest laughable Democrat quote, along with another statement on how I needed to lose weight...but that's not going to happen anymore.

I've been struggling to wrap my mind around this, and I can't. I can't grasp the concept of how these things occur. I know full well they occur, and it happens often. I know that it isn't because the stars are aligned a certain way, or it was just time, or God's will...none of that stuff people use to make themselves feel better. It can't be. I am not going to just chalk it up to being an accident, because it was more than just that. Cause and effect. Reason. Choices.

The thousands of people who have died at the hands of a drunk driver need more than just some blanket reason for their lives being cut short. This has to stop. So how do you get it to stop? I read people who come out and blast drinking. Is it really about drinking? Maybe. How can you say it is not...when if there was no alcohol in his system, he wouldn't have driven down the interstate for 4 miles! However far more people drink and never get behind a wheel. Why is that? Because they make preparations ahead of time, they are with the right people who care, or they just know better. Or they were lucky and never got caught. You know what I'm talking about.

I will not let the death of these children amount to just a memory. I will not let it fade away as just another accident. I vow to make a difference somehow, someway. I am going to do something about it. First off let me tell you I had a person on myspace tell me that I was wrong to be mad at the drunk driver, that it was just an unfortunate accident. That everyone makes mistakes and I needed to forgive him. I didn't waste my time responding, because I realize I'd be wasting my time on that mentality. How do you argue with a person who isn't thinking clearly? Forgive him????

I have a statement issued from the family of the drunk driver indicating how apologetic they are, how sorry they are, and how upset they are. I have no reason to not believe that's how they feel. It's obvious an attorney wrote the message, but the point is it doesn't get to the heart of the matter. Driving drunk is more than just a poor decision, it's more severe than that. I'm trying to find an analogy of what could be considered an equal act, but I'm at a loss to find one. He's a young guy who did something stupid and will pay for it for a long time. We all know that the price to pay never equals the crime, but that's another story. We all have made stupid mistakes because of immaturity, youth, and indiscretion. Sometimes we may even amaze ourselves that we are even alive. But still, why did he do it? Why didn't anyone stop him? Why did it get so out of hand? My close friend who is suffering with all of us wrote this public letter to the family:

It is an American tragedy that pockets of our society are littered with families who enable the reckless and irresponsible behavior of their brothers and sisters. Your brother didn't become a thoughtless drunk by chance on December 30th, 2007, he gradually made his way to that point because he was a part of a family and community of friends that did nothing to discourage his eventual path. A Taco Bell drive thru worker showed more responsibility in 5 minutes than any of the people who were close to Michael over the last 24 years. Where were Michael's friends when he was getting drunk? How can you let someone you love get drunk three times over the legal limit and let him walk around with car keys in his pocket? If life were fair Michael would have driven his truck into a telephone pole at 70 mph and the world would have a slightly cleaner gene pool. But life is not fair. Life is made up of a history of events that often lead to unbearable conclusions. Each of you in your own small or large way are responsible for the tragic conclusion of five lives. It is my hope that you all will carry that with you for the rest of your days and live your lives with a profoundly increased sense of responsibility for your decisions. That is my hope, not my expectation.

He's hit the nail on the head. This is what I've been contemplating. This is my struggle and frustration. Oh those poor babies. I'm mad. I'm angry. I'm sad. I'm hurt. I'm lost. I'm in mourning for my friends. I'm upset that I'm writing about how I feel, because I know full well it doesn't matter how I feel. I'm overwhelmed with the generous support of donations from around the country. I'm blushing with pride from the thousands of emails, comments, and messages showing support and kindness for my friends. I'm helpless because I don't know if I can do enough, yet I am committed to making a difference somehow, someway. Who's with me?




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