Saturday, January 31, 2009

Feeling Lucky!

AA Pic of the Week 125 w I read some terrible news in the Guardian today about a tragedy in California. A father of five, who had lost his job, had killed all five children, his wife and eventually himself. How can somebody get that desperate? It seems unfathomable. At the time I was sitting facing the mantelpiece where I had only yesterday put up a newly made frame with two photographs of my son's family. My eyes moved back and forth between the newspaper and the mantelpiece, and my heart was filled with both sadness and joy, and then my eyes started filling up. I think my tears were of joy, and here are the pictures that make me feel very lucky.

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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Terrible indeed that he felt he had to kill his family. What can possibly drive a father and husband to such desperation?

On a lighter side: you are indeed a lucky man: I love those pictures of your grandchildren. Too adorable!

swenglishexpat said...

LadyFi - Being a grandfather is wonderful, despite the distance.

Eric Valentine said...

I know the story you are referring to Swen, so sad. It sure makes you count your blessings when you see your G/children, great pics.. :)

swenglishexpat said...

Eric - thank you. I'm hoping for a third one! ;-)

Gutsy Living said...

I live in California and saw it on the news. You look like you have a wonderful son and daughter-in-law. The Grandkids look so sweet.

swenglishexpat said...

GW - Thank you. They make my life much better.

Pearl said...

You are a lucky man. They look like intelligent, happy people.
I don't know why someone would take the lives of everyone in their family. Clearly it is not a sane decision, and so hard to understand with a sane mind (such as my own!). I just hope that the grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, neighbors of that family get the help they're going to need...
Pearl
WV -- and I would not lie about this -- is "angst".

swenglishexpat said...

Pearl - I am indeed, and they are! ;-)

Those WVs almost make it worth blogging on their own. Yours, this time, was sadly very poignant.

Veronica said...

I too read the story ... absolute desperation, probably exacerbated by the (perhaps) frivilous suggestion made to him. Hopefully that person will think next time before they repeat that.

The family is beautiful.

swenglishexpat said...

Veronica - They are. Sadly there is no justice in the world. It's not easy to tell what will tip it for somebody, and with such a tragic result. More people should think twice before they speak.