Winners and Losers

Today I learned that a friend of mine had lost the battle with depression. I have had half a bottle of light rosé, not exactly the rich reds we drank together, but a tribute nonetheless. Funny, I didn't see him on more than a handful of occasions. But from the very first time I met him, he had a place in my heart. There was just something about him that resonated with something in me. We were not bosom buddies, I never knew him well, yet I felt closer to him than many with whom I spent much more time. I was glad to have shared the time with him. I was happy if I knew I would be seeing him and looked forward to it. And the wine. He always had some mighty fine wine. (Hat tip Jeremiah).
 In the last few years, all around me there have been people, good people, who have lost the will to fight their depression. They have been 'dropping like flies', removing themselves from the madness. And I wonder where we are going as a species. Because it seems to me that the good, the compassionate, the thinkers and souls of the human race are removing themselves from the gene pool, and the callous and stupid go on, multiplying and taking over the world. The meek wont inherit the earth, the arrogant and ignorant will, because those that understand what is happening, how beautiful it could be, are giving up in despair and surrendering to the pain. I almost did. It would have been such a relief, to set down the burden of living and just rest. I don't know what it was in me that decided to stay. I looked death in the eye. I stood at that crossroads and made my choice. I could eaily have gone the other way. Life is pain, but I am not done yet. Namasté Jonté