Hey Blog-World,

I apologize for not doing this in a while.  I know you all have been on anti-depressants due to my lack of posts.  For that, I owe you a blog everyday for a year.  Never-mind, the last statement is untrue. :)

Everyone is in bed now.  Football game is on.  Mind is ticking though.

I've watched quite a bit of College Football today. Napped and ate in the middle of them all.  I have a nice cozy leather couch to relax in (though my black recliner is being delivered Wednesday).  Carrigan has been excited about family from Maine being at the house.  She's giving them some attention, but she can't pass up the opportunity to hop on the couch and watch some football with her old man.  In fact, she kept running into the Family Room all evening and jumping up on the couch with me.  Again and again and again.  I LOVE it!  I'd rub her hair.  Pat her on the back.  MAKE her give me kisses.  Hey, I'll take them anyway I can get them.  Once again I realized how truly blessed I am.  I have a wonderful wife, great kids, nice home, cool job.  I can't imagine not being here to see it. 

I know, your asking, "Jeff, where did that last statement come from?"  It's birthed from a documentary I watched a few days back that really disturbed me.  It was called "The Bridge".  Nutshell:  The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is the #1 suicide location in the world.  The director taped people walking the bridge for many months.  While taping, he was able to get live footage of folks jumping off the bridge to end their own life.  He then found the family and friends of the deceased to ask questions of "WHY DID THEY DO IT?"  I was amazed.  I had NO CLUE.  Truly, I was sick at my stomach when hearing the stories of what drove these men and women to suicide.  While they were pacing up and down the Golden Gate walkway deciding if life was worth living, hundreds of cars passed.  Other walkers strolled by completely unaware of what was happening. 

I've been down.  I've been depressed.  I've had times where I didn't know what was up or down.  Yet, I have never been so low that I really considered ending my own life.  I just don't comprehend it, yet my heart sank for these individuals.  I have SO much to live for.  These souls apparently didn't.

I promised myself once again not to become so consumed with my own life that I don't stop to consider others.  Everyday I and you pass by people who matter to Jesus.  Let that sink in.  EVERYONE matters to Jesus.  We don't know what goes on in the hearts of those around us whether they be in the classroom, the grocery store, or at the office.  Just one word.  Just one smile.  Just one touch.  Just one invitation.  It could be the difference.  

Time to get off the couch...

jEFF m