Jane+K's+OpEd+Article

media type="file" key="janek-muckraker-2011.mp3" **Part I: "I am a Lake"**

Personally, I have a lot to whine about. Everyone does, and if we all did constantly, I think I would have to wear ear plugs daily. I can stand a little whining, but when people constantly drag it on and on and on and on, a "shut you face, before I stick my foot in it" is in order. My closest friend says I don't whine enough, but maybe everybody whines to much. It may seem like I'm the cool, soft surface of a body of water, but ford through me and you'll witness my rough waters. I just don't whine about them. People throw their junk on my shores, companies dump their toxic waste into me, and kids wadding pee and poop where they please. The tourists track back and forth over my sand covered beaches, slowly making my lake smaller; yet I sit, waiting, taking it all in, with no complaint. They come to me with their complaints, whine to me, lay on my beach to escape their worries. Soon though I will be poisoned. No longer will my waters be enjoyable, all life that once thrived and surrounded me will have died, as I crash and you finally hear me whine, like no whiner has ever done.

In light of resent events that interupted this piece, I feel compelled to change my path and write a segment on the tenderness of life and how easily it can be taken. ** I now have something to whine about. **



**Part II: "R****idge with Ripples"**

I take for granted the things I have. My life, anyones life, for instants. I go to bed, expecting, planning another day; I know I will wake up. Not everyone does though. This morning I learned that a relative of mine died in his sleep last night after drinking. Died. I barely knew him, yet I am on the verge of tears. If I blink enough the'll go away, but him being dead doesn't. He was my dear little cousins dad, sweet little Uliana, who named my own puppy after herself. She will now grow-up without a father, something I can't imagine doing. Her life is affected, everyones is. So don't take life for granted. Don't spend your time whining. Don't think there's nothing better then offing yourself. You have been given life; don't take it for granted.

**Part III: "Calm Before the Storm"**

This morning my little cousins father died in his sleep after drinking, at the ripe age of 31.

I have lived half the amount of time he had and how many days can I say I truely made count?

How many can you say you made count?

Life isn't going to last forever. Don't take it for granted. Live, and live well, for you never know when you go to sleep after a night of partying and will not wake up. You'll never know if someone close to you will never wake up. Theres just no way of knowing. So, make these days special. Relish in the amazing gift of life you have been given. Make your days wonderful. Take a moment and make it special.

Life is most precious.