Some time back, the daughter of a client filed a malicious and illegitimate complaint against me personally, and my company, saying we had not manufactured a monument as we had been instructed to do.
The facts were contrary to what this woman was saying and all of our attempts to resolve her complaints were met with hostile reactions. Though we tried, there was no appeasing this person. All of us have, at one time or another, known individuals who were excessively, and unrealistically, fault finding.
This woman had numerous altercations with a wide assortment of individuals and she acted in a bizarre manner with severe and wide mood swings. We enjoyed working with her father, but she was an irascible individual who attacked me privately and publicly, and both personally, and professionally. I was just one of many individuals with whom she was in open conflict as she sought to “protect” her father, who, in all respects, is a man of great character and honor.
Today, I received a message that this woman had recently been incarcerated pursuant to the Baker Act, a Florida statute that allows involuntary mental evaluations under various conditions. See, http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/mentalhealth/laws/index.shtml. The Baker Act is a law that gives the police or doctors the broad power to lock up individuals for 72 hours for observation if it is believed that they may be harmful to themselves or others.
Whether involuntary, or voluntary, I hope this woman will receive the psychiatric assistance she desperately needs. I am a strong proponent for supporting and treating individuals who suffer from mental illness. Her incarceration validated my belief that this woman was unable to make rational decisions due to her mental illness.
As monument builders, we must always strive to exercise patience with the families whom we serve. It is not always easy, but we should try. Sooner or later, the truth will come to light and victims will be exonerated of the aspersions cast falsely upon them.
Pray for and support individuals with mental illness especially during times of mourning and through the cycles of grief, as “the final straw” may occur as a result of the loss of a loved one. It is not always easy, but always remember that some personal attacks are the imperfection of the attacker and not the fault of the accused.
Proverbs 3:30, "Do not accuse a man for no reason — when he has done you no harm."
Proverbs 19:5, " A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free."
If you have thoughts you wish to share, please email me at Burton@USAMonuments.com and I will post select comments on this site. I thank you in advance for your contributions to improve the death-care industry, memorialization and honor the loved ones of grieving families.
Burton Fletcher
Owner
http://www.usamonuments.com/
