My son and I went to the Xfiniti race in Charlotte (North Carolina) today. Its late, I’m exhausted. So I will share two photos and discuss our adventure tomorrow.


My son and I went to the Xfiniti race in Charlotte (North Carolina) today. Its late, I’m exhausted. So I will share two photos and discuss our adventure tomorrow.
What do you say? What can one possibly say that will ease the pain we are feeling yet again? How can this, why is this happening so often to our children? The innocent, the helpless stolen from their family and friends. Their future stolen from them. What evil lurks that would do this horrific act?
My heart weeps for those in Texas who have lost children. My heart weeps for the family and friends of the adults lost to this senseless act of violence. Understanding that this is a pain that will never go away. The children from what I read are mostly ten years old, with at least one being eight. For those who know them, they will forever be ten and eight, their time in this life stopped in that classroom. Their beauty, their laughter, their future, their light stolen from them. By one filled with darkness.
The news is filled, social media is filled, conversations are filled with what happened. Conversations that have been had before, many times. Too many times. Many are broken, feeling the pains of loss. Many are angry that this has happened yet again. Some stand in stunned silence, unsure of what to say, even as their heart demands they speak up and say….something. All the while the arguments go round and round. Seeking a change, demanding something different. Demanding action. How many more must die before something is done? How many more of our children must be lost, before we wake up and do something?
Comparisons and comments are being made and arguments started. The anger and hurt bringing out raw emotions. Emotions that are fully understandable even as arguing amongst ourselves solves nothing. Yelling at each other will solve nothing. Heated exchanges will not bring those children back nor will they prevent yet more deaths. Yet, they may possibly make some feel better as they are stated their feelings, their beliefs, their opinions on this, another mass shooting that should not have happened. Not giving an inch to anyone who thinks, feels, considers differently. The “I’m right, you’re wrong” mentality cemented firmly in place, giving no quarter to anyone.
We have to stop this. We have to give way and come together to seek answers. Our children need us. Their very lives depend on us stepping away from our own entitled thoughts and feelings and consider others. We need to recognize and remember that no matter who you are, where you live, what your social status may be, how old you are, life is valuable. Life is to be treasured and respected. No one should ever be treated as less. The murderer in Texas held no regard for human life. The murderer in Brooklyn, New York had no regard for human life, the murderer on the subway had no regard for human life. Anyone who uses a weapon of any kind to murder another, has no regard for the worth of human life.
Do I believe in the right to own a gun? Yes. Do I believe there should be a better form of gun control? Yes. Do I think that there is a fear that if one weapon, such as assault rifles, are banned that the powers that be will come after others one by one? Yes.
Do I believe that there has to be a way to protect our schools? Yes. After the last one I saw many thoughts, creations, ways and means presented. And yet, it has happened again. I personally know of a school that at one time, hopefully still, the only way you could get into the building was by pressing a button. Someone inside would talk with you through a speaker to find out who you were and what was your business. Otherwise you didn’t get inside.
Do I believe we have a mental health crisis? Yes. I do. I feel that there is a great need currently for many who are dealing with difficult health issues. Especially now after the struggles of the past two years.
Do we have problems with a darkness in people who feel that others are inferior? That others are disposable? There are problems with those who have fears and problems with racial and lifestyle differences. It isn’t always one race hating another. All races, all nationalities, all social status, all ages have issues.
Do I feel that changes in society have brought on any of this? Yes. We have removed and changed our thoughts on religion and faith. Having a relationship with Jesus. We have removed and changed structure. Taking away a parent’s ability to discipline their child, while allowing bullies of all age free range. Removing one having to take responsibility for their actions. All of these and more play a part.
Do I have answers? No. What I do have is a belief that we all, every single one of us have to come to an understanding and ability to hold conversations. We have to find the ability to come together to find the solution. We have to understand we have different thoughts and beliefs but be willing to talk to each other. Not yell at each other. Not threaten each other. Not shut each other down. Talk. To. Each. Other. Find that solution.
Our children are depending on us.