Athens —
I have said this before and I feel the need to say it once again. I love working for newspapers. You wake up in a different world every day – Sometimes good and sometimes, lets just say, not so good.
Each week when I think things could not get worse, they do. But always something happens that makes everything right in the world. A little dramatic, but you get the jest.
This past week started out on a very sad note. Two teenagers from Kemp were killed in a car accident. No matter how bad our lives get, nothing can ever prepare you for losing your child.
You expect to lose parents, friends and maybe even siblings. Not your child. Like so many in our community, my heart and prayers go out to the families and friends of these two young men. May God shine down on you during your time of sorrow.
That accident happened on Sunday. By Monday, things just kept happening.
On Monday, a house fire in Gun Barrel City claimed the life of one man. If you know this man's family, I understand he was uninsured, and they sure can use some help.
What made that story even worse was that it happen to be the third fire in the lake area in less than 24 hours. The men and women who volunteer for the local fire departments should be given medals for what they do. At least, when you see one of the volunteers out in the community, just say thank you.
Tuesday evening Mabank City catches on fire. Okay not the entire city but a 100-year-old building in downtown Mabank goes up in flames. What is so tragic about this is the part of the city’s history was lost due to this fire. According to Mayor Larry Teague the city has lost 11 or 12 buildings in the lasts decade because of fires. What a great loss for the town of Mabank.
Each time a building is lost the city loses some of it's historical value. I hope someone is documenting this for future generations.
On to the good news. I received a phone call from a friend I have known for about 15 years. My friend, Sharon, breeds Yorkie puppies. She has been breeding these precious little puppies for a number of years.
Sharon heard I went to visit a church last Sunday, and a young boy told the congregation his dog had died. It was quite sad.
The good part was he also said his parents said he could get a Yorkie puppy. With that, the young man sounded a bit happier.
Sharon called to tell me she would like to donate a puppy to this young man. How nice is that? If you know anything about Yorkies, they can be expensive.
Sharon said she just wonder what she could do to make someone's day a little brighter, and thought about the story of the little boy who lost his dog. She doesn't know the family of the young man. She had just heard about the young man from the church on Wednesday.
Just when you want to ask God why there is so much tragedy, He sends you a message to let you know not all is lost. There are still good things to come.
Wouldn't it be great if we all just woke up and said, “Today I am going to make one person happy.”
If only for a day, I want to brighten someone's life. It could be as simple as a visit to a sick person, or someone in a nursing home who rarely gets visitors.
Maybe you just want to do some volunteer work at one of the different organizations in our community.
Next time I feel overwhelmed by my own life, I will take Sharon's lead, and just do something to make someone else’s life a little brighter.
In return, my life will feel brighter.
Kathi Nailling is a Staff Writer for the Athens Daily Review.
Opinion
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Kathi Nailling
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