Musings of a Senior Scribe
Health, Wealth and Such
By Mona Lease 

Hi, all!!! For you readers and hearers of my writings - Dad's out of the hospital and recuperating. For those of you who know me - you know I've got the "Sap Gene." All we have is each other. No amount of money will buy real love..,.you know - the kind that says - "I cant' change anything, but I can sit quietly with you and wait." 

And, on to the Boston Marathon Bomber. I've been pondering this one. What kind of a person would endanger so many lives? To me, bombing at the finish line is symbolic. The finish line is supposed to be a time of jubilation..a sort of ecstasy. The training was worth it!! Some of these people train all of their lives for a shot at this. Most count it an honor to be "good enough" to compete" - to "go the distance" -  win or lose. The Dayton Daily News reports that three people were killed and over 175 were injured. I won't shock you with details. 

I do know this - when we let the "Pomp & Circumstance" go to our head - when we can't get enough of the glory, praise, and honor - a twisted or distorted view rears it's head. We can start defining ourselves by the vehicle we drive, where we live, who our personal friends are, how "high in society" they are, and the list is endless. 

Drug addicts - mainly crack or cocaine types - tell me there is nothing like that first "high." After that - they are "chasing the dream."  Maybe more at one time will "do it." Maybe if I get high at a rock concert, it will be like the first time...maybe, maybe, maybe. To me, it's curious - ever notice how often paranoia seems to show up - "invited" or not? Some of these addicts tell me they were mad - even furious - when someone showed up at a "Crack Party" laughing...now, he had to be high already - right??? He must have better stuff - a "secret stash." He should have shared - at least with me. 

I know it sounds ridiculous - but many things can"twist" the psyche. From my observation, it's a compensation thing...the world owes me - life owes me...the state owes me - I was dealt a bad hand...I was clearly the winner by a 1/16th of an inch, etc. These "psyches" fight this to the death. Every new fashion, every new disease, every opportunity for "free money" - they assemble themselves into another line and fight for their position in the line - "You cut in front of me"..."you can't hold that spot for someone else - if she went to the restroom then she goes to the back of the line."

Seemingly - more stuff equals more "power." Somehow - taking care of that "stuff" gets forgotten in the midst of "planning the next wait in line"...food, headphones, cell phones - that list is endless, too. 

To put this together - I believe these people really want to be accepted..to be loved for who they are. Some how their image got distorted. Somehow, love got confused with "idol worship." They have probably counted how many times they've been wronged instead of how many times they were "righted."   If discretion is the better part of valor - then is "tough love" the better part of all of the loves...friendship, husband/wife, material possessions and such? If we, as a people, practiced this - would anything change? Just a thought. 

To the people of Boston, race participants, families, friends, spectators, and all else: I am truly sorry - sorry we are out of balance - sorry we took our eyes off of the true "Finish Line." 

Remember the kiddies and our service people. Be good to the furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next time. Ever Toodles!! MONA