This is it, tonight I will take flight. I am going on a trip and I might not make it back. Soon the pain will melt away and all will be well. My problems will be gone. Just a spoon some heat and soon I will feel the warmth through my veins. No pain just joy that may never end. Living is so hard, perhaps dying would be better. I am not sure, but soon I will know. Will I touch heaven or will I come crashing back to reality, no one can say for sure. What I do know is that I think I have it right. The mixture is perfect and I just need the courage to do it. I will just let the pain in a little more and it will push me over the edge. This time I think I will make it right.

The night is still but I am restless. My heart is an open wound. I am devoid of passion and empty of desire. I have been undone by you leaving me. I toss and turn praying for morning to come. I wish again for your touch and to hear you breathe in the night. My bed is no longer a place of rest, but of endless longing, a longing for love.

Block out the background noise and turn to the person in front of you. Put down the cell phone and turn it off. Stop the tweets and emojies put an end to the endless updates. Look at the person you are with and hear what they have to say. Do not talk and do not interrupt, for a single moment be silent and just listen. Hear what they actually have to say, see their emotions what ever they may be. Feel something for your friend or the stranger that is talking to you, just listen.

I sit a top a hill and listen to the sound of Steele at it rings. The sparks from blazing swords cut  through the night as fires burn to light the battle. I hold fast to the reins of my horse as I prepare to take the field. With lance in hand I hold my own destiny of which new generations will sing. I rally my comrades for my final push as I swear upon my fathers bones, I will reclaim his rightful throne and in my wake upon the rotting heaps of the dead, I will be crowned the rightful king.

Eyes of deepest green with hair that is soft and brown. A laugh that can cause butterflies to smile. An inner light that is soft and caring, with a strength and firm resolve. A wit sharp as a razor and beauty that comes from with in. What a precious jewel a daughter like this is to see. To watch her become what she is meant to be. You only get to see her for a very short time.Then on to womanhood she must go. If only for a fleeting moment, you can enjoy her, what a blessing that is you see.

Nature is full of wisdom. There are many things that we should not ignore. I found such a lesson when one day I decided to explore. I walked down a well worn path then I veered off the main way. I cut through some bramble bushes, then sat down by a small stream. To my surprise I saw a little bird sitting on a rock. The little bird didn't seem to notice me, it just kept tapping on the stone. I then noticed it had a snail it was trying to open up. I looked a little closer only to get quiet the start. With ruffled feathers and a quick chirp, the little bird warned me back. I fell over into the stream and gave a hearty laugh. While laying in the cool running water and the mixed up leaves and mud. The little bird landed on my chest, it had to get in the last word. With a few chirps and a screech thrown in for care. It read me the riot act then went back to it's rock, like it didn't have a care. So I learned a valuable lesson from my experience, that sometimes it is better to just let nature be. At least that is the message I got in no uncertain terms, from what a little bird told me.

I drove my car as far as it would go, 100 thousand miles I had let it go. With only the most basic of work, because often I was flat broke. Then my shocks went out on a date and one pothole and my girlfriend banged her head. I was mortally terrified, because I thought she was dead. With only a large goose egg on the top of her head, at the hospital she said she loved me but that we could no longer date, not until I fixed my car. I whined and asked can't it wait. She gave me stern look as the nurse pushed her towards the hospital door, where she got into a cab and at that she said no more. So in utter frustration, I finally gave in and decided to visit the dealership for the service I had been putting off. If I had know what I was in for, I would have bought another car, it would have been cheaper than a tune up by far. When I entered the service bay, the floors were squeaky clean, the service attendant was very nice and I thought this isn't as bad as it seems. They filled out some paper work and I said what the heck, I signed my name on the dotted line and said give my car a check. I sat in their waiting room as if it were a delivery date. Then after two hours I met my mechanic, he said hi my name is Nate. He begin to explain to me all of the ends and outs, I barley understood half of what he was talking about. When at last he had finished, he said will all of this be ok, I just nodded a confused yes and he said great we'll get on it right away. For 2 more hours I sat in the waiting room, hoping that the nightmare would be over soon. Just I was about to fall asleep, a voice rang over the loud speaker for me to come to she service desk, from that point on, I can scarcely remember the rest. I saw the friendly attendant in the area with nice clean floors, when she handed me the service ticket it nearly reached to the door. In utter shock, I didn't now how I was going to pay, then as by magic she had my wallet and a credit card and she said we'll take care of this right away. So with my vehicle up to code and all of it's problems fixed. I no longer have a girl friend and I have no desire to date. For once I get my card paid off from the service on my car. I am pretty sure that I will be able to take a trip from here to Mars.

Born into reality and not prosperity, I grappled with the circumstances that surrounded me. Disadvantage was my native tongue and necessity was my teacher in the school of hard nocks. I earned my diploma at a young age and became street wise. Survival was the only way of life I knew, until I was older and had earned many battle scars. Now I am not sure if I am better or worse for what I had to go through. I only know that I wasn't born with a silver spoon and the only way that I will ever grab a brass ring is to likely steal one.

In the Bible the stories are told in the New Testament and the old. How God gave many gifts, but especially to women did he give. For tempting her husband God gave woman sorrow in a childbirth that holds our tomorrows. In her physical Frailty God gave woman cunning and skill. These gifts have come to serve her well. While  men are boisterous, a woman will quietly wait and thoughtfully contemplate with wisdom what she has to say. Though many men profess to be a breadwinner, it's the woman who Kneads the dough and prepares the dinner. When it comes to the man touting his male heir it's the woman that rocked the Cradle and raised the son with care. So the next time you read God's book, be sure you take a closer look. Perhaps then you will see it clear, God put a lot of gifts to women in there.

Spread over the throne of God covering the mercy seat, Angels pronounce the glory of God. In storms of life, the wings of angels are spread over the innocent and the lost to protect them from the fiery darts of the enemy. When the pilgrim soul is tired, angels spread their wings and lift up the burdens of life. In occasions where there is worry and strife, angels stand with wings spread, ready to heed the prayers of the faithful and to heed the masters call.

Jump into life unafraid. Plunge into the deep end of the pool. Thrash about and fell your muscles burn. Find out that in life there is a lot to learn. Kick up a ruckus and turn the water white with froth. Test your arms and legs as you try to stay afloat. Become part of the ocean of people struggling to live. Join those living life and see if you sink or swim.

Bang one goes down, Bang another home boy hits the ground. Pop, Pop, Pop goes the chopper, cutting down the enemy for what he did to my brother. Life in the street is about banging for the buck. You can get money if you have a lot of luck. Keeping it on the down low, that is how the street life has to go. You live by the law of the AK and the 9, they are the only ones you can trust when you choose this life. Making your way by the kilo and the gram, sometimes you run, and sometimes you must make a stand. Keeping it real, in the belly of the beast, looking around every corner for the police. Rat tat tat, someone is trying to end your life. You in the street hustling, trying to provide for you kid and your wife. Where does this nightmare end, if you aren't really lucky, in the grave yard or the Penn. .

Lusting after the flesh, coveting the best of everything, these are mortal sins. Boasting that you can do it then doing it to prove the boast and delighting in the feeling of being right. Such is the way of being sinful, such is earthly delight. We are told to be pious and forgiving, but holding a grudge is so much fun. Getting even can be delightful, as you see others lives come undone. So let the saints suffer in silence, some of us may just give in. Perhaps we will repent tomorrow, but today we are about to sin.

We are all different, no two are exactly the same. If only in subtle difference in some cases, we are not replicas of each other. Our skin may be a different hue from our brother or sister, but underneath we all bleed red. We may not agree on everything but we have common hopes and dreams. Humanity may be diverse, but we live on the same world. So how can we divide ourselves so readily? Some have enough some have very little. Some have more than they need. Forcing one to give to another does not make things equal, only when we learn compassion will we willingly share. Humanity is not just the color of skin, it is a common bond between us all. Until we learn to live under one blue sky and one yellow sun in harmony, we will not have peace no matter what we look like.

Open up the doors to the grandest hall and invite the poor and the unwanted. Set before them a feast and offer them gifts. Provide music and laughter because they don't know what is hear after. Tomorrow is likely to be another grim and sullen day. So for now show them that there is joy. Let their hearts be light and free. Throw a party for those who have nothing to celebrate and let them see how good life can truly be.

You see the images on the T.V. and you think you know what it's about. Hollywood sells an ideal but none of it is real. The stories cannot relate the way it really feels. When you get caught up in the game, then you hit a brick wall, it is not what you think. One moment you are living a mile a  minuet, the next you come to a dead stop. You wake up one morning and your sitting idle in a cellblock. You have some person walking around with a set of keys. The officer now controls your freedom, your choices are taken away. You look back on how fast the good times went. You see the easy money and wasted time that you spent living on a fast track to no where. The door has closed behind you and now your there. The paint ages along with you as you watch the drab walls and steel bars, you can hear sounds of the outside world when you do get to the yard. Now a decade in, you are frozen in place. You are like a stone just sitting waiting for something to come along. The cracks in the paint remind you of how many coats have been put on since you got into the cell. The truth about doing the time, is that it can be a living hell.

Forty hours a week never gest the job done. Turning wrenches and busted knuckles is how things get built. Steel beams with red hot rivets, long welded seams on flat iron plate. Miles of highway laid out with tar and cement in the hot summer sun. Bridge foundations laid and mighty buildings sent spiraling skyward. Machines that run around the clock to weave and knit things we wear. Bakeries  that can cook anything we care to eat. By the sweat of our brows we earn our daily bread. Hoping to make a better life than the one our parents had. On a day reserved for rest and reflection, let the world know that the greatest of us is sometimes not seen, but in the things that were created, we leave our mark from behind the scene. The working men and women of America are the true heart of the machine.

The crowds gathered around the hill where three men were hanged on a the cross. Two were paying for what they had done and one was not worthy of death, yet he was sentenced anyway. As the hung between two sinners, and innocent blood was shed, a list was blotted out by the Crimson stain. Between heaven and earth in anguish a price was paid and on that rugged tree sin was crossed out for all who would believe.

Black, White, Yellow, or Brown the skin color matters not. Red haired, Blonde, or Brown hair one thing does not care. Tall, short, skinny or fat it bears no malice. In life there is no true equality, for we are all human and will always have a bias. Only in death is there equality. Only then are we all the same. Though we might be born to wealth or poverty, all of us die equally. The last act of the play of our life may be dramatic, or it may be peaceful but it is our end just the same. Once we draw our last breath, our part is done in this life. What comes after is open to interpretation, but in this one thing, equality is achieved. We are all mortal and we will all die.

I walk by a lake and look at the clouds. I see the leaves losing their hues of Green. I remember what it was like when you walked beside me. Now I am not sure how I feel. I hold an empty space inside that I am trying to fill. I look to recapture the old magic that we shared. I stop and stand by an old stump as I watch the lake lap at the shore line. I close my eyes as the breeze touches my cheek and I imagine that it is your hand, as I fall back into old memories and try to fill a void that was left in me when you went away.

Show your appreciation for those who serve your interest, even if you don't mean it. Take notice of the insignificant person, if they can serve your needs. Keep your admirers at arms length, but always be polite. Never give more than you expect to receive, except to those who can benefit you. Take no offense, but always keep a dagger for when a back is turned. Talk subtly to those whom you loathe to keep them in your corner, until its time to take revenge. In all things put yourself first and only make a promise if it isn't inconvenient or costly. Be clever as a Fox and cunning as a Serpent and always keep a scape goat for emergencies. Do all of this to perfection and cruelty will become second nature to you.

The shadows fall over me and I can't seem to shake them. The clouds fill my eyes and I cannot see beyond my own door. I walk around in a haze and cannot find a light. The night and day are the same. Oh how I long to be warm again and to feel safe in my own skin. I cannot remember what day is like, nor the smell of fresh flowers. So to what ever power holds creation, please set my spirit free. Remove the chains of despair that hold me since my love left me. Let me walk again in the radiant light and let my misery be done. Oh how I just want to see the sun.

Oh Starry night grant me repose, for my soul is burdened down. What trouble lies in wait for me in the darkness, only the pail light of the jewels of heaven looking down to bear witness of my weariness. Oh sleep come to me, for I am sorely lost. I see only darkness and little of the pail light. Please oh shroud of forgetfulness find me and bring my soul to remembrance of a gentler time. Oh Starry night that bears witness to my suffering, call now the night shades to spirit me away from my trouble and end the suffering of my soul.

Cogs turn and wheels spin, the machine moves forward. People come and then they go, but the machine moves forward. Each decade passes and no one knows who runs the machine. it is so vast that connecting to the operator is almost impossible. The parts run in an orderly manner, as the machine moves forward as a set pace, but no one knows who sets the pace. The machine extracts life from the people who are in the mechanism, and it moves forward. When one person wears out, that person is simply replaced with a new one and the machine moves forward. What the machines purpose is no one really knows, all that is known is that it must continue on, for if the machine stops then the fear is great that things will end. For so long, people have been inside the machine that it's true purpose has been forgotten. So the cogs turn and the wheels spin and the nameless faceless machine consumes yet more resources and more people to keep itself going forward. The machine must go on.

Enticing as divine beauty, deadly as the venom of a pit viper, the lure of power draws people into it's web. To drink from the cup of authority can be a fatal mix if you succumb to it's addictive nature. Holding the reigns of power can give one a sense of superiority, even when the yoke feels it's heaviest, the rush of being able to laud yourself over others is too much for some. In the end, if it is ripped away, the withdrawal can be to much. Once you have tasted the drug, power can become a fatal addiction that is  too much to handle.

I walk in the cool of a fall day. I am filled with unnatural warmth as I watch children dance and play. As they dance to and froe through piles of colorful leaves. I have to keep looking over to make sure you didn't leave. Even though I feel the softness and warmth of your hand. It seems so faint to me, missing you would be more than I could stand. Since the first time I saw your angelic smile, I have lost my heart. You took it from me from the very start. Now with each moment I come to realize, just how empty my life was before you were by my side. I am lost in the felling of your love that I now hold deep inside. I can see our future every time I gaze into your eyes. I see years passing with a family and you and I turning old and grey. I know that I am not imaging it, it is as real as a sunny day. So I will hold on tightly to you and thank the stars above, that the fates decreed that I should be given an angle to love.

Oh how I wish you could see what I see. Oh how I ask the divine to show you mercy. Oh how I weep for you and yet you do not know that you are in need. Oh how I plead with God to show you a better way. Oh how I long to see your eyes opened. I wait patiently everyday as I ask for help to come for you. I am humbled by the way you show kindness and smile, even though I know you need so much more than I can give. I pray often that your eyes will be opened and that you will receive Gods gift and live.

Cuts and gashes inflicted on me by society, I bear the marks of battle. Where flesh was torn and emotions were bled out of my veins by cruelty and spite, I bandaged the wounds and healed the places as best as I could. Now scars adorn my body, not that I was beautiful anyway. I have survived the crucible of hate and venom thrown at me and now I am stronger for it. Though some are repulsed by my appearance, my scars tell my tale. Each one was won through adversity and hard fought battles. Now I stand above the fray and I ware my scars as a coat of honor for all of the world to see.

Life dealt you a bad hand of card, so reshuffle the deck. Society is cruel, so be kind in a way that people will take notice. You hear people laugh and snicker, so have a great sense of humor and you might appear on broad way. When others don't get you, write a book about it. When they say you will never get there, just tell them it takes some of us longer than it does others. Always remember you are created unique. There are things about you that are special, you just have to let others know it. When the story of your life is written, it will show that you are amazing.

Blue Orchids bloom in the middle of winter as green Apples hang from frost covered trees. Gold dust falls out of seed pods and Diamonds glisten at the bottom of a half frozen stream. The air is heavy with the perfume of maidens playing silver Lyres as they watch the Blue moon pass the Red sun. The forest is filled with plain white birds and bears with Red and Yellow fur, paw in the water for fish the color of rainbows. All of this happens, as I sit quietly in a swing made from hanging vines covered in black Roses, in the land that came from my mind.

Welcome to my funeral, won't you stay a while. They say I look so natural as I lie in state. I have such a pleasant  smile don't you think? I am dress up in my finest clothes, though I am a little stiff. You will have to pardon me if I don't shake your hand, I am just supposed to lay here and look rather grand. So won't you stay a while, and fondly remember me. Perhaps I put in my will, you'll have to wait and see. For now don't worry about me for I no longer feel a thing. Just enjoy the refreshments and know that I am glad you came.

When the rain falls on the earth, God is crying for his children. Sometimes his tears sweep over and wash away things. Some things are wicked and some are not. In the heartbroken state, the tears fall from heaven. Then when there are no more tears to be cried, the rain will stop and a dry spell will come. In that time, we ask why we suffer, but in truth our sorrowful ways has caused God to have no more tears, and the rain that gives life to cease, so we are the cause of our own fates.

Fear now the dark messenger, run from the shadow of the reaper. See the icy hand of mortality closing on the soul with it's fearful grasp. Look at the end and judge your worth, how will you fall today. Oh how some live in terror of an ending, oh how some are ignorant of it's coming. All things both great and small will see it, but not all will abhor it. What is loathsome to some is welcome to others. What holds the eternity has a double edged sword in it's hand. To many death is a mystery and filled with fear and trepidation, to others it is a welcome friend. It is the one thing that we are all are assured and it comes at it's own pace. Not all will feel it quickly, some will wait years for it to come. What ever the time or when ever the moment, it is assured. As a door way to another world or the end and judgment of a soul, death is ever present and always waiting to claim it's own.

I am smothered by your attention, I cannot breathe. I am awash in your possessiveness and your constant need. We committed to share love,  now it is an ocean in which I swim. I am drowning in your love, when shall it end.

I was going to work out at 7 am, but I hit the snooze 10 times so I think that qualifies as something. I didn't get out of bed until noon, then ate left over pizza for brunch. I need to clean out the fridge, but I just won't open it for a while. My clothes are clean but in a unsorted pile, I would separate them, but the static cling makes my skin itch. I would like to be in a relationship, but then I would have to commit to something. At this point, I can barley commit to watch a t.v. series. I know I should be more concerned about a whole host of things, but right now I think I will just put on my fuzzy slippers and go out and buy some more beer.

When I give a glass of water to some who thirst, let the glory be God's. When I sew a seed of hope, let the glory be God's. When I answer a friends call for help in the midnight hour, let the glory be God's. In all things that I do that are worthy of honor and praise, let the glory be God's.

On a chestnut mare with a mane like gold dust, galloping down by a winding river. I lose myself in the motion of the horse as I feel the thundering hooves lift me off of the ground. With eyes closed, I hear the river rushing by and I imagine I am riding into battle. The horses snorts bring my heart to race inside my chest as I feel the morning sun on  my face. I open my eyes and lean forward taking tight hold of the reins. I kick the sides of the mare edging her on as the river narrows, I pull the reins right and jump across the deep rushing water, landing on a sand bar to the far side. With violent snorts the horse pulls up the steep bank and into the open field, where I again close my eyes in anticipation of a run to battle before my ride is done.

The things of life are built upon clay and sand. They shift and are lost in a moment. There is a sure foundation upon which I will stand, the stone rejected by the builders that has become the head of the corner. In a life of perfection and humility, Gods only son became the rock of faith. In him there is no wavering, he sits four square on solid ground. Through his sacrifice he gave redemption. By his agony we are given hope. I will stand upon what he has become, he is the foundation he is the corner stone.

People rage and rant at each other. Civility has disappeared and has been replaced with anger. We advance so rapidly that we have lost touch with each other. We used to sit and talk for hours, now we tweet and post. In short blurbs and emogies we try to communicate, but we really are not saying anything. Our barrier used to be our language, now it is not trying to understand each other at all. We isolate ourselves and cultivate followers instead of life long friends. Though our social circles may have been small, at least we knew we could rely on each other. Now we do not know who our neighbors are and our own family has become a strange to us. We fight with each other and fight with ourselves. The world is coming apart at the seams. Perhaps it would be better if all the technology went on a vacation and peace were given a chance again.

You are worth more than you know. You are capable of more than you believe. You can become what you desire, though perhaps not in the way you think. A dream should not be neglected, it should be pursued and nurtured. You should never settle for less than your worth nor should you let others tell what your value is.

Silver and Gold will fade and be forgotten. Precious gems will loose their luster. The truest treasures cannot be a thing of price. While wealth can buy material things, where the treasure is so is the heart. When you prize monetary gain over family and love, your heart is locked away in a bank without emotion . Only when you place the immaterial above the material will life truly take on a great meaning. Hard work and ingenuity might fill your house with gold, but if there is no love or laughter, then you are truly empty of the things that make life worth living. There fore, where you treasure lies, there in will your heart be.

In fading twilight I see the stars begin to appear. The last rays of the sun fade into the softness of night. The veil between twilight and nightfall is draped like a curtain over the existence of all things. In this short span of time of closure and awakening, is what solitary moments of time seem to stop. When small birds begin to flutter and settle in for the long night, and an old Oak creaks in the wind as it starts to blow. Sounds and sights fill the mind as time slows to standstill. The senses capture the rhythm of nature as life seems to reset itself. All things realign and become melded into a symphony of life that revolves over and over until slowly the light of day has faded and night has taken hold. Then time begins to wind slowly forward leaving the bridge of two worlds behind, giving one part of life a chance to renew while another expends energy saved up from a long slumber in dark places until the bridge is crossed again from night to dawn in the moment of twilight between two worlds that seldom ever meet.

One night in deep and earnest prayer, I asked God for a wish and he asked what it would be. I wished that God would help someone for me. I woke the next morning and stepped out of bed to find a hammer and nails laying by my shoes. I saw them and I was quiet confused. Then I heard a knock on  my door. I went to see who it was. My neighbor came by and told a horrible tale, of how a tree limb had cause her roof to fail. I said let me see what I can do. I picked up the hammer and nails and put on my shoes. I went up and in no time at all, the roof was fixed. She thanked me and I went on my way. When night fell once again, I again began to pray, I asked God who did you help today. He replied to me that I helped you, with a hammer and nails, I saw that it was true. I gave you what you needed to be my hands and feet and together we helped someone in need. With this in mind I will remember to be careful when asking God for a wish.

Unicorns talk from the pillows that lay upon the bed. Butterflies come off of the wall paper and tea parties are the in thing. There is a villain and a hero and always a happy ending. Fantasy is everyday and rainbows are fun to slide down. The world is full of imagination and wonder as the ordinary becomes extraordinary. All dreams are possible if you only see the world through the eyes of a child.

I see you walking towards me in the evening light. My face is covered in sweat from my long day of work. My arms ache and my back is stiff, but all of that is forgotten. I see a vision of love walking towards my heart. Your beauty is fairer than the flowers of a thousand hills. Your laughter is sweeter than the music of a morning song bird. I work and labor to know you and for just one moment of your time. I would give up one whole year of my mortal life. As you come close to kiss me, I know that somewhere above, Heaven is missing one of it's angles, because you are a vision of love.

As an imperfect creature of like passion to my fellow humans, I proclaim that I am flawed. I proclaim that I like others have imperfect ideals and imperfect thoughts. I declare that my philosophies can evolve and change. I state that my core value of being helpful where I can remains in tact. I state that I am a work in progress, if I will cease to procrastinate. I say that in this life that I can only hope to do better today than yesterday. I proclaim that I will try to bring hope and not misery. I proclaim that we all fall short of our creator, whom ever we believe that to be. I proclaim that in the end, I shall endeavor to tip the scales for the good and not the ill and that is the best I can promise to do.

Shades wander aimlessly here and there looking for a place to exist. The ghostly forms of lives once lived without meaning. The only thing that concerned them was themselves. Now as wisp of what was they wander between the lines of reality, not having a form or purpose, simply wanting to exist again, so that they might undo the selfish things that lead them to their current state of existence .

A child is diagnosed with cancer and they say all hope is lost, because the parents can't pay the bill. Then a place is created, where there is no cost and the little child is saved. A mother has no home and no place to stay. Her husband drank up all of his pay. She is cold in hungry with her children, begging in the street. She considers looking through the trash just to find something to eat .Then a stranger sees her and offers her a hand, she is taken to a place of hope, where you can start again. The people don't ask any questions, they simply mend broken lives. They put her back her back on her feet and make everything all right. An old person lives in solitude, their years have flown past. No one comes to see them, they have been forgotten and are alone. They live in a house that is falling down and have no where else to go. A neighbor sees their predicament and wonders what they can do. Then they join with a few others and before they are threw, the house has been made whole and the lonely person has new friends. The problem has been taken care of and it has happened once again. Kindness has found a way and opened up a path, for someone to make a miracle happen just because they were willing to act.

The path of least resistance may seem like the easiest one to take. The dark road may cover up our sins for a while, but sooner or later we shall run out of path and end up in a pit. So is it not better to walk in the lighted path where you can see the traps and avoid falling into the pit?

Is one human life more precious than another? Are people in America anymore deserving than people in Sudan? Why are you in need of special consideration and another not? When you decide that your voice needs to be heard, stop and think of those who have no voice and who's lives are just as precious as yours.