I am hopeful that this act of violence will also be a reminder to everyone of just how lucky they are to be alive - to be free - to be with their family. I am hopeful that this event will refocus people on what's important. I am hopefuly it will shed light on mental illness and perhaps encourage more open discussions about the challenges people face silently.
It seems that in our world everyone is trying to impress everyone - instead of trying to help everyone. People are embarassed to ask for help - or take help - and others are too busy trying to climb the ladder or get the latest purse, car or gadget to really stop and appreciate the simple, small blessings of life.
I say this with no judgments. I am no better. I am often worried about what people think. I am often afraid to admit when I need help. I'm often thinking about silly commerical things as a distraction from life/stress or work. But... at a time like this I find it is important to look for the lesson and to take it to heart. It is too easy to say, "how sad... how disgusting... how horrid AND forget." We must never forget this tragedy but we must take this experience and let it shape where we are going with our life. It is never too late to change course and it is never too late to helps others change their course. If everyone who was impacted by this tragedy took it as an opportunity to do something positive we could ensure that th 27 lives taken were honored and respected in the most positive way. They will continue to live on in the lives of those that loved and knew them - and those of us that only knew them as a number and an age. I can't quite get a few of the images and faces out of my mind. But I can do something positive to honor them.
Onwards and upwards!