Count your blessings, and say a little prayer.

Over the past couple weeks I've become aware of two very unfortunate situations. One involves an acquaintance, another a good friend.

The acquaintance, a waitress at our favorite greasy spoon, has basically dropped from sight. She'd work at the Diner, and another restaurant owned by the same folks. As of late I'd assumed I didn't see her because she was either working the other restaurant, or it was her day off. Now I've found out she was fired, and is possibly on a downward spiral that involves drugs and alcohol. As best I can tell this woman is truly a good person on the inside, but has been forced to deal with other than ideal circumstances in her life........... an example being an abusive foster home environment. I hope she shows up and can get it together.

My friend, whom I've known since the early 80's has just been "let go" from his job. He's a great guy with a good heart. He's been a bit less than lucky with jobs over the years. However I thought this latest endeavor, working as a technician at a North Carolina company doing medically related nano research, ......well I thought he'd found a real home. Evidently I was wrong as they are doing some internal "refocusing" and let him and some other folks go. What makes it worse is that he moved from Maryland to North Carolina, and even bought a house there. I hope he can find alternate employment...... and soon.

For both the acquaintance and friend in my life I'd ask that you say a prayer, maybe the one thing that might help these folks regain their footing.