It's a Strange World

This past week has been rather interesting. People are spending inordinate amounts of time writing, talking and thinking about the life of Michael Jackson. People who have never seen him face to face are crying in front of the cameras. We hear statements about the importance of his life. We see the happy, sad and tragic moments of his life on the television screen. News reporters go on and on about his life and now his death. This coming Tuesday a memorial service is planned. They are giving away free tickets to 17,000 people for the memorial to be held in a stadium format in Los Angeles. They are predicting that millions of people will be watching the service on television. How can the lives of celebrates become so real to people that they grieve so deeply when tragedy occurs? Why do the people of today find their lives so meaningless that they have to find meaning and purpose in the lives of those whose lives are superficial and sometimes extremely tragic?

Also this week another Canadian soldier died in Afghanistan. He was 30 years old and the father of two young children. He was a Canadian hero. There will definitely be a memorial and really nice things will be said about him. It sad that a life thrown away seems to be more important that a live given for the freedom of others. It is sad that the comic opera of Michael Jackson's life is given more credence than the life of this young man who was trying, in his own way, to make this world a better place.

The world is a strange and often a mixed up place. There are many things that make no sense at all. I, for one, choose to honour the memory of the soldiers and the many thousands who have given their lives for others: those who dedicate themselves to bring an end to pain and suffering: those who dedicate themselves to helping children become productive members of our society: those who dedicate themselves to helping in hospitals, in nursing homes, anywhere that the lives of others can be saved or improved: those who live not only for themselves but for others: those who live by the Golden Rule - Love your neighbour as yourself.