PERSPECTIVE...

Standing at Alex’s football practice the other night a group of parents were sitting there talking.  A couple of the Dads were sharing stories about our careers and some of our trials and tribulations. 

It is funny when you think about it.  Not haha funny, but funny in general. [Thanks Joe Pesci from Goodfellas]

We all think that what we do is important and that our problems are massive, but when you hear a story like this one it puts things in perspective.

One of the Dads is a Police Officer in Montgomery County and it was about midnight and he was just finishing his shift and mentally shutting down as he was going home to unwind and relax. 

Then the call came in..

A 19-year-old girl called and said her step father ‘lost it.’  He started shooting his family members that included her mom and a 12-year-old step brother, and a 5 year old step sister and she herself had also been shot. 

A 20 year vet as a Police Officer he goes on to say he is one of the first one’s on the scene.  The 911 operator had stayed on the phone with the teenager to keep her calm as she described the scene.  Five officers surrounded the house and secured the scene making their way into the home.  Upon entering the house the officers immediately saw a HORRIFIC scene.

They found the shooter after shooting each family member in the head, including the teenager who called 911, turned the gun on himself and committed suicide.  Once they found the murderer dead and knew the scene was secure they went to search out the victims.

They found the 12-year-old boy barely breathing as they opened the door to a bedroom, laying on the floor surrounded by blood.  (By the time paramedics arrived, he had died.)

Then they found the mother trying to cover and protect, laying over her 5-year-old daughter.  Come to find they had both been shot in the head and were pronounced dead.

The 19-year-old daughter, also shot in the head, was miraculously hanging on to life as the bullet didn’t kill her.  She was able to call 911 and is still hanging onto life.

As the Dad/Officer is describing this to us my eyes are popping out of my head in disbelief.   

Listening to him describe this scene and his ‘job’ puts EVERYTHING in perspective.  This poor family, this man killing his family.  This Dad, the officer whose job puts him in a position that he walks in on a triple murder/suicide.

Next time you think your day is going bad, please please please put it in perspective!!!

Sorry to share this story with you, but I wanted you to know no matter how bad your day is going it is most likely not THAT bad!

Love you.