I am feeling so many emotions right now. Disgust, fear, sadness, uncertainty, and others that I cannot name. I also feel some hope.
Tonight our community of Kirkwood lit candles throughout the streets to commemorate those who were killed last Thursday at our city council meeting. I helped light candles along our little cul-de-sac while visiting with some of our neighbors. We were discussing how we can support each other and with that support, our town can move forward from this disaster.
Then I came inside to use the computer. I saw that a gunman shot 22 people at a campus outside Chicago this afternoon. Reading the details, I felt a sense of deja vu. Haven't we seen this before? Haven't we already heard about this happening?
Last week my sister and her 3 kids were in the middle of a gang gun fight at her neighborhood playground. 2 kids were shot. Today a 10 year old boy shot his sister in the face over potato chips. Yesterday a 6 year old girl was grazed by a stray bullet in Minneapolis.
I know that faith plays a big role in overcoming these things. I know that I am supposed to just do my best to be a good person and hope that everything turns out alright. I just can't help but fear for the future, regardless of faith. Every day there is something else on the news. My little town is picture-perfect. Large oak trees line the streets; the neighbors barbeque together. We have great schools, fun little shops and restaurants, and the best farmers' market in all of St. Louis. But we also had a man living and working here who kidnapped 2 young boys. Then the man who wanted revenge on our city government. A police officer of ours was shot and killed a few years ago, and the trial for his killer is going on now.
I know everyone feels these things, but I just needed to reflect. I worry about what Nolan will experience in his lifetime. How are we supposed to fix these things?
3 comments:
Unfortunately, I don't think we can fix them. We just have to do our best to protect our families and pray like crazy that we can keep them safe.
Agreed with Colleen. I do fear raising kids these days. It's scary out there. All you really can do is teach them the things that are right, and pray your head off.
Kristina,
I totally know what you mean. I have been feeling a lot of the same emotions since that awful shooting. It is hard to feel safe. The night it happened I told Peter I wanted to move. The gunman was from our neighborhood. We used to wave at him when we'd drive by his place. But I think you're right...we have to have some sort of hope and faith or else I'd never leave my house.
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