Since I became aware of the tragic events of last Friday, I have not stopped thinking of the families and community directly affected by the actions of one person. I have also not stopped thinking about the parents I know and their wee ones. I can't even begin to imagine losing a child, and even worse losing them in such a tragic way. Tears come to my eyes each and every time.
I am not a crier over the news or sad events I see on television. I am usually so removed from the situation that I can only express saddness for the loss that others had to endure. My heart aches for them, but no immediate emotion or reflection (aside from gratefulness) comes to me. This incicdent is different and I think it's because I can put myself in the scenario.
On Friday, I played 'soccer mom' to my munchkins and it involved a school pick up. Thinking about C and her little friends in that horrific situaion makes my heart speed up and my breath come a little faster. I cannot imagine how scared those children must have been. And then I think of the teachers. The first grade teacher who decided to hide the children in the closet and protect them by lying, the one who hid in the closet and told each of the kids hiding with her that they were loved. And that makes me think of my mom (and her good pals). I finally talked with her last night and she said she and my dad have talked about this a lot and discussed what she would have done. She says she doesn't know, but I do. She would have protected those children even if it meant giving her own life. And I know that every teacher I know would do exactly the same thing.
And that makes me teary and proud all at the same time.
The lives of those families, the community, schools, teachers and probably most parents will be forever affected.
And while people are talking about changing ammendments, I think instead we need to be talking about how to support those in the mindset of the shooter. Yes, control should be had in some capapcity--but if someone wants a gun, they're going to get it. Let's be honest. If a bad person wants something bad enough, no amount of legalities will stop them from getting whatever it is that they need and they are still going to do something bad. And not every person is "treatable" or can choose to be "treatable" (which is sad), but every one of us can choose to be kind, so maybe the switch in someone's head isn't triggered. We can pay attention to folks and acknowledge them, even when we don't want to.
I'm not saying I'm going to start hugging every person I run into on the Metro. (I am saying I need to be kind, not stupid). What I'm saying is that no matter the situation, love wins. Every time.
The world is full of loss, no matter what we do or say. No matter how much we want to control the outcome, unexplainable things happen. Sad things happen. It's part of life. Not the part any of us like, but it's the life. It's the yin to the yang. Without it, we wouldn't see the good.
And in this scenario, as awful and tragic as it is, love is winning.
Yes, there is talk of the shooter and speculation over the why. (We are human and need the why so we can make better sense of things). But mostly what I see are the families of the victims talking about why their children were so special. And families of the teachers talking about the good things they did.
People are sad, yes. And will be. Forever.
But love is winning when we talk about the good those people brought into the lives of others.
So as we embark on a new school day, I hope in the midst of the changes to help protect people, we all remember to let love win and be a part of that change.
