A Better Place?

Given the state of this country, is Colin in a better place? I never gave it much thought until recently. Maybe not having to grow up in an increasingly divisive society with a sickening propensity for violence does equate to being in a better place. Please do not get me wrong, I would much prefer to have Colin here and teach him how to rise above and be a positive light in an ever darkening world, but as it stands these days, those positive lights are far too often extinguished by ignorance, prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, and the list goes on and on.

The most troubling thing to me is that everyone wraps themselves up in the Declaration of independence, Bill of Rights, Constitution, or whatever document they barely understand to protect their 'rights'. God forbid people actually read these documents before wrapping their own moral, social, and political views in them. Gun rights and abortion (many others apply as well) are always the two hot buttons that seem to stir 'liberal' and 'conservative' camps into a frenzy, driving deeper wedges in our society. When are we collectively, as a 'civilized' society, going to stop this madness and actually apply some common sense so that our children learn what the words 'society' and 'civilized' really mean?

I am not going to get into my personal views regarding any of the hot button issues here. This it not the place or the point. The point is that for the first time, our supposedly civilized society is making me wonder if my dead son, who I have openly stated that I would sell my very soul to have back, is in a better place. No Father should have to ponder that question, but then again, no civilized society should ever get to a point that this Father would.