I'll add a couple of things I learned over the years using a chain saw. Don't cut on a very windy day, yes the wind can catch the top of a tree and send it in the wrong direction--even with the notch. Have an escape route to move away from the tree before you saw. In other words make sure you have a clear area to get to quickly in case the tree was to fall back toward you. If your only experience is cutting up logs and not cutting down trees, you might want to get someone to help that has experience in felling trees. Felling trees requires a litle more knowledge than simply bucking them and is a little more dangerous. Size up the tree by looking up at the top and seeing where the weight is concentrated or which way the tree is naturally leaning. Usually you throw the tree in the direction of the lean, but if that is not possible due to the fact it might fall on your house or get caught up in another tree, you can rope it. Tie a rope up as high as you can get it in the tree to be cut down. Wrap the other end around a tree in the direction you want your tree to fall. Pull the end back toward the side you will be sawing on and tie it to your truck hitch. Pull the rope tight by driving the tree ever so slightly forward and keep the tension on the rope. With the notch on the felling side, the tension of the rope pulling the tree in the direction you want it to go, start sawing the tree. About half way through the cut, pull the truck up slightly to increase the tensin. The gap of the cut should be wider which would indicate the tree will fall in the direction you want it. Cut into the tree again until it is about through. Pull the truck foward and the tree should fall where you want it. If you only understand a little of this or none of it, hire someone to cut your trees. If you lack confidence in doing the job, don't do it. Saving a little money is not worth injury. The term "widow maker" is sometimes used to describe a tree that is dangerous to take down. I had one of these and I hired two men to take it down. I sawed it up myself. Even after watching the job, I probably would not attempt to take down a "widow maker" with a chain saw. I would hire the tree guy with his bucket truck.

I hope the spirit of this message returns to every mind in every place on earth to thank the Almighty, One and only One, above the Heavens to bring peace to ours and the future generations.

You're so right about the path of suicide but, in my mind, I think they're may have been a genetic disposition to depression as I've known two families where the father committed suicide and then the child and their child. You'll never know but know that you are the one who suffered terrible blows and went on to make people happy and calm. That's your gift and your a sensitive, sweet, downright lovely person. Your Mom knew that and so did you Dad as well as your nephew. You took the high road and now to let it all go and get on with your life with the knowledge that you made all the right choices. Nothing could have changed the outcome. May you go on in peace and love.

Angel...I was wondering if you ever asked your Dad to help, or if you decided to just do it on your own. My own BF proposed over the weekend and I would also really like for my Dad to help me out with a wedding. I have never been married before and I do not have any children or anything. I've pretty much done everything on my own, including paying for school through student loans and scholarships. In the meantime, my Dad has helped his stepson through a very expensive legal battle due to a DUI in which one of his friends died in the accident...which turned it into vehicular homicide. He is also 24 years old and still living with his mom and my dad. As far as I know, he does not pay rent or pay for food or anything. He has mentioned going back to college (his 4th school/I don't think he's actually even made it through his freshman year yet) in August, but I don't think he even knows what he wants to go for. I don't mean to speak bad about him because I actually like my Dad's stepson, but as much as my Dad has helped him, I hope that he will want to help me pay for my wedding. I'm going to wait a few weeks to see if he offers to help, but if he doesn't I think I want to ask him if he will. I just feel that because of all of the times he has been uninvolved in my life and as little as he has done to help me in the past, this is something that I would really appreciate from him. I know that many of you are going to say that I should just have a small wedding, or elope, and part of me actually agrees with your viewpoint, after all, a wedding only lasts one day and then you have gone and spent all of that money...but on the other hand...haven't you all at some point dreamed of the day when you get to be the princess and everybody you love is there and you get to promise to spend your life with the man you love?