I know I will see him again

How do people deal with the death of a loved one if they don't believe in God? Or life after death? How can you get over the loss of someone if you don't believe you will ever see them again? I never would have gotten through the death of my father if I didn't believe that he was in a better place, that I could talk to him whenever I wanted, and that I would see him again one day. It still took me years to get to a place where I was a (somewhat) functioning adult, but that was only through believing that he was always with me. I could never have coped with his absence if I thought that death was final and that he didn't know how I felt or that he forgave me for everything I was sorry for. One of my Dad's best friends was never able to come to terms with his passing because to him, my Dad was just gone. He blamed my Dad for dying and was the loneliest person I've ever known. I'm not saying that I didn't go through all of those emotions, but I could get some peace, some alleviation of that intense grief with the comfort of knowing he was with me. I suppose those who don't believe in God see faith in an afterlife as a coping mechanism, a crutch, that people believe in God and heaven because they desperately need to in order to come to terms with death. I believe that is true, but I also know that God is there and that there is a heaven. Faith is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it takes a very strong person to believe in something intangible. (I use the word intangible for those who don't believe. To me, with my experiences, God if very tangible indeed.) It takes a very strong person to be able to step out from everything that we can see and feel and put their faith in something that is beyond our understanding. I'm about to go on and on about faith and that's really not what I intended to write about. I guess I'll just end by saying that my heart goes out to those who really think that death is the end. It must make a really terrible time in one's life so much harder.

How you drive says a lot about you

Okay, I know its nothing new to be angry about other drivers but I just can't understand how people can be so inconsiderate. I'm driving down Market Street in West Chester and traffic is really heavy this morning. It is the most aggravating thing to watch people cut down the turn only lane to pass everyone and then cut back in. I know there was construction blocking Church Street so not everyone was trying to cut ahead but these are not isolated incidents. When only one lane was open on Market Street, people did it all the time. I would drive down both lanes to stop people from doing that. It was great to see how mad they got. I take a different way to work just to avoid the aggravation. But what it really comes down to is how thoughtless and inconsiderate some people are. It may seem like something simple and petty, but it really says a lot about a person. It says that they could care less about anyone else or how long they've been waiting their turn, I don't feel like waiting so f*** them. It shows their complete inability to see things from another's perspective. It amazes me the lack of empathy people have for others. Not just when driving, but in life in general. Its not as simple as being selfish or self-centered. Its not being able to understand or sympathize with anyone else's needs or values. But people's lack of empathy is a topic for another day. What I am really trying to emphasize is the "I'm only looking out for myself" mentality. I can understand having some cynicism but there is such a lack of courteousness today its frightening. I bet if you asked one hundred people what the Golden Rule is, less than half would know. I choose not to be cynical. I know people may take advantage of my good nature and basic trust but I would rather that happen once in a while and do the right thing, than be miserable and distrustful all of the time. I have helped people in my life with money, shelter, clothing and friendship and been completely betrayed. But I'm not sorry I did it. It hurt, but I know that I did what I could to better someone's life. They're the ones who have to live with their actions. And I doubt they are very happy people. So treat others the way you would want to be treated, or the way you would want someone to treat your mother. You may come across a few assholes but you'll meet more people who appreciate it. And you'll be a better person for it.

I know I kind of stretched the topic but my point is, how you drive says a lot about you as a person...and a lot of people aren't very nice.