Bell: Life is precious - hold on

As I gather information for this newspaper, it occurs to me that life is precious.

It’s not that this has never occurred to me before, but it seems even more clear from taking a glance at this very newspaper.

Upon gathering things I take note of local residents preparing for a talk on the effects of chemotherapy at a local hospital. It makes me think of those close to me I’ve lost who’ve endured similar pain, and the fear that I know these people must face every day in battling cancer. They are to be admired for their bravery, but it isn’t as though they’ve been given a choice, as someone close to me experiencing it once said. Every day is really precious. Every moment there’s an opportunity to reach out to someone in need shouldn’t be passed up.

Sometimes people suffer in silence, and don’t ask for help. Sometimes the circumstances are complicated.

This past week the county lost a local gentleman whose car crashed into a bridge on Interstate 95. He then got out of the car and was killed when he jumped from the bridge. Whatever the circumstances may have been, I believe that someone could have eventually helped him out of whatever pain he was suffering from if he would have held on. It’s sad when people resort to suicide, because I believe there’s always another way out.

There will always be someone there to listen, and someone who cares.

What’s more, local crime has seemed to escalate, with the economy causing widespread panic. People fear losing their jobs, losing money and losing the stability they once had. For some people, they don’t see a way out and they become desperate. Here again is an opportunity to reiterate the importance of life, because the state of today’s economy and doomed feeling that has been created from the recession continues to cause people to feel as if there’s no escape. In reality though, people must have a respect for life — their own and others — and realize that once we leave this Earth, all is said and done — depending on your beliefs, of course.

We might as well make the most of it while we are here.

In neighboring Prince William County, a mother has been arrested on charges related to her adopted daughter’s death. Late last year, the county experienced the murder of a Lindendale mother and son, and police have charged one of their neighbors.

Enough is enough all around. It’s time to respect life.

Tracy Bell is the managing editor of the Stafford County Sun. Reach her at info@staffordcountysun.com.