I woke up on time only to mess around and be late out the door. After the usual flurry of getting ready and waiting for Jake I managed to zip past few the slow spots (all two miles of it) and make it to work just in time. From there it was all put on hold. Police cruisers blocked the street and I had to walk around them. After getting upstairs Mr Nosy asked, "Did you see the body?" We looked out the window and across the street lay the body of a woman, covered by yellow tarp. Around her and on the parking garage above police walked around, surveying the area. Crime Scene tape flapped gently around the body and people walked a little slower to see if they could catch a glimpse of the deceased. I looked to the stairwell across from us and there were people standing there, coffee mugs in hand. One last show from a person who didn't want to go on. She parked her car, made some steps from boxes she found and lept to her death. Such a sad ending, regardless of the circumstances.

Times are tough. The holidays always make it tougher. I remember sitting at home all alone and crying on too many occasions. My choice, but it was still a hard one. Being on the edge of the abyss is so easy. One step. One leap. One movement. One last pain and it all goes away. No more fear. No more anger. No more loneliness. No more pain. It's the easy way out and yet so many take it. I wonder if this person reached out to anyone, or had anyone to reach out to. Sometimes it's the littlest things that mean so much. A smile. A hello. Asking how someone is and then actually listening when they say it's not okay. I remember being in so much pain and reaching out. Someone said, "Don't worry, it will get better." It was as if they were saying "I didn't want to know how you felt, I just wanted to be polite while walking past you." Fair weather friends are worse than enemies at times. At least your enemy wants to know your condition.

When you walk outside today remember that there are people hurting. Sometimes a simple smile and acknowledgment is what will get them through one more day. This woman probably died because there wasn't a connection strong enough to keep her going. Sadly there is a connection now.

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