Just a quick note about why I've been gone...
A few of you might know this, but one of my cousins has been battling to come back from an addiction and subsequent overdose of prescription painkillers and anti-depressants. It's been hard on our entire family, but unfortunately, that's not been the low point. Now she's been in hiding for the last two weeks, and her drug selling "friends" have been helping to keep her away from her family. Tuesday, two of my brothers and I went and forced a confrontation at one of the homes she's been hiding in; it did turn ugly, but we managed to physically take her from the house and enforce the commitment order, hopeful that she can get some help from these drugs. I guess I've been very naive about the extent of the problem in today's society. Since I don't take meds of any kind (unless I'm almost dying), I've never been one to try, experiment or sample the 'pill du jour', so it's been hard to understand... I've just loved and sympathized, enough if it had to be tough love.
People, if you're reading this, do yourself a favor... if you know or love someone, and suspect there is a problem, don't sit idly by and let this poison run it's course. My cousin is a trained EMT here, and she still fell victim to the power of these drugs. BE PROACTIVE in the lives of those you care about, before it's too late! I've seen first hand what the pain is like for all involved, and I would spare any of you what my family has been through the last few weeks...
Please, take care of yourselves and each other, and I hope to be back soon. ~David