WARNING:
This is a disturbing true story which is different from the normal articles found on this site. I am including it here as part of BeHappy101.com mainly to make a few "happiness" points which I discuss throughout the website.
Recently I was leaving for a 3-day business trip to San Francisco, which
would actually be a 7-day trip since I would stop in Newport Beach for 4
days to hang out on our boat for a few days (something I absolutely
love).
As I do every time I leave for a trip, I went in to kiss
my two sleeping little girls goodbye (Joie, 8, and Jae, 5) and started
by kissing my little "princess", Jae, on the forehead and whispering softly, "I love you my
little princessa". As I started to walk away, she awoke partly,
extended her arms toward me and said softly, "daddy, give me a hug". My heart
melted as I hugged her. It was beautiful. Then, as I went to go kiss
Joie, Jae called out again and said, "daddy, just one more hug before you leave" (still
half asleep but extending her arms widely again). I had tears in my
eyes and such a warm feeling in my heart. "This is the best feeling in
the world", I thought to myself.
Then, I went and kissed my
little "bebita" Joie, saying to her, too, "I love you my little
bebita". She, too, extended her arms out and, without saying anything,
just hugged me tightly. Again, it was the most beautiful feeling in the
world.
These two minutes were so
special. These two precious, innocent little girls love me and it
doesn't get any better than that. My wife and I are very lucky. And, the
love we have for them is indescribable.
Just 15 minutes later I
was sitting in a taxi headed to the airport in Tampa. About 5 minutes
into the drive, the taxi driver turned up the radio and said out loud,
"Listen to this - it's terrible".
Unfortunately I proceeded to
listen to the news story (I never, ever watch or listen to the news).
Just a few hours earlier, a car had sped past an off-duty policeman at
about 100 miles per hour. The policeman chased the car, which proceeded
to stop at the top of the Sunshine Skyway bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida (which is right next to Tampa).
Before the police officer could do anything, a man jumped out of the
car, pulled a 5-year old little girl out and threw her off the bridge!!
(the Skyway bridge is a very high bridge with deep, cold water below).
The off-duty officer couldn't stop him in time. An hour later, search
and rescue crews found this innocent little "princess" - obviously dead.
It ruined my day and could have ruined my entire week (if I would have let it).
Just
minutes before, I was so happy, relishing in the beauty and love of my two
little girls hugging me and telling me they love me. Then, the thought
of that beautiful little innocent child falling to her tragic death
because some deranged father who apparently was very unhappy and
couldn't feel the love (or didn't care), made me very, very sad.
I
didn't need to know this. I am not any happier for it. In fact, it had
the potential to make me less happy (although, fortunately, I have ways
to avoid that). I would much rather have never known about this
terrible incident. It's why I NEVER watch the news. It serves no
purpose. I already know terrible things like this (and even worse)
happen every day. I don't need to be reminded of it so constantly and
specifically.
Sure, perhaps there is a small part of me that feels
grateful for what I have when I hear stuff like this. But, I was
already feeling so much gratitude, love, warmth, and happiness just a
few minutes before from my own wonderful experience with my little
girls. I don't need to hear the tragedy of that beautiful, innocent
little thing falling hundreds of feet to her horrible death.
During the entire flight to California I couldn't
help but picture that sweet little girl screaming as she fell to the water below (hopefully she died on impact and didn't struggle in the cold
water before drowning). I felt hatred for the terrible man
(her father) who did it. How could anyone do such a thing? I pictured
my little 5-year old (who minutes before had hugged me twice and told me
she loved me) falling from the bridge and getting crushed by the
impact. I literally cried in my seat.
I don't know what is
happening to this world, but I do know that things like this are why
this website is my passion and commitment. If I can help just one
person get past the misery this father must have been feeling to do such
a horrific thing, then I am meeting my objective and achieving my mission, and it's all worth
it.
So for you, my visitors, please ... cherish your life. Be grateful for what you have. And, if
you have children, treasure them every minute of every day. If you have
problems (as we all do), realize that it's not that bad and appreciate what's good about life. And, if you have serious problems,
get help. Finally, don't watch the news if you want to be happy.
Rest in peace, little princess, and...
BeHappy! my friends
PLEASE CONSIDER...
If the information on this site helps you and you'd like to make a donation to BeHappy101.com (to help make others happy), please click on the button below to make a contribution. The amount you donate is entirely up to you. A portion will used to contribute to the happiness of others and is greatly appreciated. [WHY DONATE?] |
PLEASE CONSIDER...
If the information on this site helps you and you'd like to make a donation to BeHappy101.com (to help make others happy), please click on the button below to make a contribution. The amount you donate is entirely up to you. A portion will used to contribute to the happiness of others and is greatly appreciated. [WHY DONATE?] |