Nervous nellies

That's you lot. You're all nervous nellies. I am fine. I am a sensible girl. I always look through the window before opening the door. I have a panic button right there that feeds into my alarm company, that feeds into the police station. I don't invite people in. I live in a nice neighborhood, but I take sensible precautions. Yet, I would rather live my life slightly at risk of a home invasion by opening the door to someone who may need help, than worrying about it constantly and giving myself an ulcer. And if I do die in a home invasion, you can all tell me that you told me so, but also know that I prefer life this way. I am a believer that when it's your time to go, it's your time, and there's not much that can change that.

In 2005, the death statistics were -

Number of deaths for leading causes of death
Heart disease: 652,091
Cancer: 559,312
Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 143,579
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 130,933
Accidents (unintentional injuries): 117,809
Diabetes: 75,119
Alzheimer's disease: 71,599
Influenza/Pneumonia: 63,001
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 43,901
Septicemia: 34,136

Homicide is at #15, with 18,124. Which is below drug and alcohol-induced mortality. Now, I'm not saying that #15 is anything to be sniffed at, or that I shouldn't be worried about it. But I am 36 times more likely to die of heart disease than of homicide. Or, given my family history, I'm actually more likely to shuffle off this mortal coil due to stroke or cancer. Or, given the bad drivers around here, due to a traffic accident. And let's face it, the homicide statistics are quite skewed by young men who kill each other in gang incidents.

But, thank you for your concern. It is duly noted. If Dave ever comes back with the money (and yes, I did check yesterday that his car was at the house where he said he was working) I shall tell him that he's not to go knocking on doors late at night as it worries people.