Death is an end, but not the answer.As news of the Lupoe family tragedy coated broadcasters’ tongues, I grieved for the Lupoes and their loved ones. I mourned for a beautiful family that wasn’t given the opportunity to outlive these economic times.
I saw potential in gorgeous golden brown children, mere steps from clouds before evaporating back into them. They will never experience a first prom, driver’s license or university acceptance letter.
That a father would contact media outlets in time to kill his spouse, offspring and commit suicide shortly after worldwide Obama bliss, spoke volumes about the tumultuous state of our nation.
Though saddening, one might understand why Ervin Lupoe chose the collective end, rather than an unanticipated stroll through a shaky life quality.
I seek not to deemphasize the heinous nature of his actions, but recognize that they parallel many breathing biological fathers who slaughter relationships with their families amidst generational feelings and validations of their nothingness.
Trifling men who evade responsibility are another story.
With regard to Lupoe, I imagine that he equated his life and its happiness with his ability to provide. Losing his medical center job after his wife lost hers, dismantled their joint security and subsequently his self worth.
In a culture that makes men’s careers their identities, layoffs and terminations can be profoundly deep and detrimental. I sympathize with Lupoe, and his desire not to disappoint six sets of loving eyes.
I also hope that the Creator shows his soul mercy. We all have an achilles, and, it is still hard out here for an American.
While seemingly no other generation has consistently reiterated such words of optimism (read: change, hope, et cetera) in the midst of trials, our very existences are at stake. Our waning ability to feed ourselves and our families is an alarm clock, one which doesn’t alleviate millions of nightmares.
We can’t let that stop us.
We made amazing strides, colored the globe and white house, deviated from previously failing political formulas, reveled in the wonder of a delightfully dark first lady and so on, but it only takes one event to sober our international love fest.
The Lupoe family tragedy is that event.
This recession is real.
Cars are downsized or deleted. Education is muddied. Checkups are avoided. Property is devalued. Homelessness is rampant. Employers abstain from new hires. Loans are iffy. Everything is on sale.
And we still can’t afford it.
Rather than ogle unattainable fluff stuff or run ramble litanies of what we lack, trying times are an opportunity to renew our faith- in spirituality, friendship, charity, love, and ever-so importantly, in self.
If we work on ourselves and society steadily, everyone will improve. By extending a helping hand to the next person, it is likely that when we regress someone will offer us a lifeline.
That’s all most of us really need.