Put the Gun Down!

It's hard these days for me to write about poker strategies. Compared to the state of our great nation and our fellow citizen's hardships I felt compelled to write something less trivial.

Los Angeles, California-California County Coroners remove one of six bodies found at a home in a gated community at Porter Ranch in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles on Monday, Oct. 6, 2008. An unemployed accounting industry worker who was despondent over financial problems shot and killed his wife, three children, and mother-in-law, and then himself in an upscale home in a gated community.

Akron, Ohio-Mortgage finance company Fannie Mae said it is forgiving the mortgage debt of a 90-yearold woman who shot herself in the chest as sheriff's deputies attempted to evict her. Addie Polk's plight was cited by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, on Friday before the House voted to approve the $700 billion financial rescue package. Kucinich voted against the plan.

Fannie Mae announced later Friday that it would dismiss its foreclosure action, forgive Polk's mortgage and allow her to return to the Akron home where she's lived since 1970. "Just given the circumstances, we think it's appropriate," Fannie Mae spokesman Brian Faith said, citing Kucinich's statement and news reports. "It certainly made our radar screen."

Polk remained in Akron General Medical Center and was expected to recover from chest wounds suffered last week. She became the home's sole owner in 1995 when her husband died, then took out a mortgage in 1997 and refinanced several times, court and property records show.

Countrywide Home Loans filed for foreclosure last year, and Polk's home was sold to Fannie Mae at a sheriff's auction in June. Deputies were to escort Polk from her home Wednesday when gunshots were heard inside. Polk's longtime neighbor, Robert Dillon, climbed through her window and found her lying in bed bleeding with a gun next to her. He visited Polk in the hospital on Friday. "She said it was a crazy thing to do, now that she's had time to think about it," Dillon said.

In life, just as in poker, sometimes we lose big time. But if we stick around another hand will be dealt. Quitting is the only way that one loses in life. Killing your family or shooting yourself because of money is not an option.

If you're hurting I pray that you realize that you are not trapped. There is a way out. You can and will overcome. Ask for help. If you're thinking about ending it all please, please ask for help. If you have no place to turn, call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

If you have your head above water, pay attention to those around you and help if you can. Hey, you can't take your money with you ... I wish you all the best.