Dear Readers,
I am hoping that longer days are helping you deal with cabin fever. It has been a long winter. I know that it was mild but it just seems as though the sun does not stay out long enough. The clouds seem to cover the sun more often than not. It has just been a dreary time.
I am so concerned that there have been 7 homicides in the Lansing area. We are just a mid-sized blue collar town. Most of us will probably have some contact or connection to someone who is grieving a victim or who was a victim.
It is very sad when you interact with families of homicide or crime victims and it is especially difficult when they have children. I am especially concerned about teenagers.
Lansing averages about 10 murders a year and it is just April. We need to be more proactive than reactive. In the cases of the unsolved murders, I am sure that there are those who know exactly what happened but they are either related or afraid to speak up.
There are so many variables when trying to figure out how violence can be stopped. The police truly cannot be everywhere.
Take time out of your life to get to know the people around you, especially your neighbors. If you have children be nosy, especially with your teenagers. Check your windows and doors regularly, especially after you have had people working on your home. It is better to be safe than sorry. Take the time out to self love too. The stress of taking care of others and dealing with workplace issues can be taxing. Financial stress can be dealt with too. Take little baby steps. Change is up to you, no one else can do it for you.
Love people,
Rina Risper
Printed in the April 16 – April 29, 2017 edition
