WHAT'S THIS WORLD COMING TO....

Well, today is a very sad day for sure...a horrific act of violence against an innocent person. Committed at this little family owned store pictured here.

Where we live is basically remote, but a couple miles from us on the main highway is a little store/gas station called Sylvia's. Since it takes almost an hour to get to a big store like Walmart or Winn Dixie from where we live, it is not uncommon for us to just pop in to Sylvia's to buy milk or bread or a snack. And it is always a pleasure to be greeted by the store's owner, Vish Patel. A sweet man who always asks how you are and jokes with you and is just all around nice! So hard to find these days in MHO!

Thursday night, this nice man's life was taken,.. violently. It was taken by someone, with no respect for human life or anything else I'm sure! As the news reported, Mr. Patel was walking from his home (located behind the store) to the store when approached by this man, and shot dead. They say the motive...robbery. Now I didn't know Mr. Patel personally, that surely being my loss...but he was a staple really. You stop at Sylvia's..and you left with your groceries or gas AND a smile! I've mentioned many a time to my husband how nice he (Mr. Patel) is. And then I heard this today and my heart just broke. How his family is coping is beyond recognition to me.

The person responsible is incarcerated (Thank God) and will hopefully be punhished for this. But whatever he gets, won't bring back the smile and feelings of "hey, there are still nice people in this world" feelings I got whenever I was in Sylvia's and talked to Mr. Patel. And saying that, makes me feel selfish...for I know how much greater the loss is for his family.

I am including a link here, so that you can read the story should you be so inclined.

http://www.panhandleparade.com/index.php/mbb/article/fatal_shooting_in_fountain/11877/


And after reading it again, it seems there is more than one person involved. How scary.... How this can make a person feel trapped, a prisoner of fear when something like this happens so close to home. I hope and pray they catch the others involved and they too, are brought to justice.

My heart goes out to Mr. Patel's family. I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers. And if it weren't for knowing that Mr. Patel is in a much better world right now...I'd be all the more sad for the void his leaving has left for me and others whose lives he has touched.

May you sore with the angels Mr. Patel!

And the world continues to turn....
A heartbroken Miss Mossy