Lisa dialed 911 and could barely breathe. “What’s the problem ma’am?” “I can’t, I can’t…” and there was a pause. “Ma’am…ma’am?”
Lisa, a 19 year old college student asked her dad to meet her in the mall parking lot. She parked her car and met her dad at the other end of the lot. She was getting money from dad to pay for a skiing trip. “Where’s your car, hun?” “Over there.” “Let me walk you back.” “No, it’s ok dad.” He walked her anyway. “Who’s that sitting in your car?” her dad asked. “Oh, that’s my friend.” Dad asked a few questions, and hesitantly let his baby girl go.
Hours later the media would have a field day. Cameras. Televisions. Questions. Reporters. Emails. Facebook. Shock. News travels fast from coast to coast, and friends make a huge difference in one’s life.
Lisa and her friend of only a week went from the parking lot to his apartment. Drugs were his choice of escape, recreation and addiction. Perhaps they argued about something stupid. Perhaps there was yelling. He had a gun and one of the bullets found itself lodged in the center of her chest, breaching through her frail heart. She was a lady of good standing, had a promising future, loved her family, and gave to her community in service. But she made an unfortunate choice: to hang out with this friend, for only a week. And this friend shot her, carefully jamming a bullet in the center of her heart. Blood spilled in her chest cavity and overwhelmed her being. She died upon arrival to the hospital.
In Proverbs 12:26, the great King Solomon warns us to be cautious in friendship. Teenagers are hanging out with friends who dabble with drugs like marijuana, or who toy with cigarettes, or drink to the point of hugging a nasty toilet, placing their face in it and vomiting up all they got. The truth is that one week can change the course of your days. One decision can shear your life. One sip or shot or whiff can sever your dreams. One friend can shred your heart. Protect yourself, protect your heart, and realize that bad company corrupts good character.
For further information on your cardiovascular health, contact Dr. Kojoglanian at 661-259-1711. The Mender of Hearts is located at 24868 Apple Street, Suite 103 in Santa Clarita. You may also visit www.drrap.com .