One of the reasons why I have been backed up is because Brad has been sick with the flu and all of the cats have been sick also.Tuffy has had at least 2 hairballs a day and she is in great pain.Brad wants to put her to sleep..but I cant.In seattle..if you put your animal to sleep..you have to pay 150.00 for the ashes and that isnt fair to me and Brad as of now.I have had to deal with 2 deaths and offer my advice.I am also learning to be a better listener and have joined at least 2 book club.Bill Cosby wrote a book on how to communicate.I am going to get it and learn to be a better person to have a converstation with.This is very important to me as of now.But I have to relate what has happned.On November 4th..a friend of mine died.He was in his 50s and he died in the hospital.I learned what happened to the Tuba Man and let me tell you this..I dont know what to say or do at this time.I did not attend the memorial.but I am sending something for the burial .Tuba Man has been a fixture in seattle in gods nos when.He wore colorful hats and had a sense of humour.He trusted a lot of people which Ed did to the end and in the end Eds trust cost him his life.Ed always carried a lot of money on him.He did not believe in banks.He just believed in the goodness of people..but we are not in Kansas anymore.Ed was standing at a bus stop in seattle by the seattle center.It was late and the seattle center has been the center of gang activity.He was standing to get the bus when a group of teens surrounded him.They asked him for money and Ed told them off.The leader jumped on Ed and began to beat.One of these gangs members kicked Ed in the head.Ed went to the hospital and rested for 2 nights..but he died of the injuries and people have come forth in the city of seattle.3 people have been arrested and 2 more they are looking for.These teenagers killed ed for money and his debit card.They found his wallet sans of cash and checks in a dumpster.The people of seattle are calling upon the mayor to have a force on gang violence.The kids in gangs I have seen around..but I have never had trouble.You see it is the winter time in seattle and it gets dark early.I get up at 4 o clock and answer all of my e mail.Brad leaves for work at 5.30 and I make him coffee.After Brad leaves and noone is around..I clean the house..clean the litter boxes..feed the cats and I clean the house.It takes me 2 hours to clean this house.After this is done..I get ready for the day and I go out and have my coffee and go to the library to research topics for Daily Strength.But I have got a question..suppose you have a lot of money on you and you are surrounded by 30 teenagers like ed was..what do you do? Suppose your cell phone doesnt work..what do you do? What does a person do if a gang robs them? Should they go to the police?And if Ed survived..does anyone know who as a robbery victim of a gang..who does he go to? All I know is this..The Tuba Man is dead.WHy? Why did these gang members kill him? Is it because we have failed our youth because of the budget cuts? Does anyone know what to do? I cried the other day over Ed and then I realized this..Ed is with my brother Frank and guess what? Frank always wanted a friend.Frank is now sitted in a lounge chair with a can of Miller lite and he and Ed will be watching the Seahawks game.This is how I will remember Frank.And Ed..I want to say..Thank you for your friendship and for listening to me when I lost Frank and to the people who did...lets not give them the death penalty..These are children for petes sake.Lets have them go to a juvie center where they will learn the basic skills and once they can learn anger management..I am sure that they can become wonderful human beings.You see..I have forgiven them.I cant hate these people.I cant hate these people who have all this anger.You see..I know this..the leader may be a tough macho man and he may boost of this and that..but on the inside..he is a very frightened little boy who never had a trusting adult or human being to show him that violence isnt the way.I will see you soon,ed.Save me a Miller..vader and the cats.