Moving Forward

I've done a lot of thinking since yesterday's post. And I'm beginning to think that what I wrote was all wrong. But I guess that's what a/my blog is for - emotional, impulsive, and sometimes very raw and unedited entries. 

I can't stop thinking about how 26 homes must be feeling so empty right now. How difficult it must be to explain to the siblings of the victims that their brothers and sisters won't be coming home. All of the birthday parties and holidays that they won't be at. How to explain why their parents will never be the same. 

I watched an interview with the father of one of the victims, Emilie Parker. His strength and compassion was breathtaking. The absence of animosity in the interview and his ability to offer sympathy to the other families who suffered loss, including the shooter's family, was unforgettable; and it got me thinking - he is so right.   

'How do you fight evil? You fight it with good.'

There are obviously people out there who are trying to find the cause and a reason why these things happen. A lot of people want a source to blame and a specific direction to point their finger in. Is it gun control? Mental health support services? Security? I have no idea (and neither do the ranting, angry people on Facebook). There is not one solution - many issues need to be brought to the table. But for now, it is so important that we remember the victims and change what we DO have control over in our own lives. While I may still disagree with the way these horrible tragedies are broadcasted, there has been overwhelming love and support from all over the nation. It's too bad that it takes something like this to remind us how important random acts of kindness are, but it's also really beautiful to see communities coming together, making small gestures towards making the world better, and paying it forward. 

I'm not sure how this will change me. Hopefully I can learn to live with more compassion, to be more humble. To love harder. Be more patient. Be quicker to forgive. Smile more. Remember that everyone is battling something in their life, and sometimes the smallest effort or act of kindness can turn a day around. 

Emilie's dad said we should 'use the memories of the victims to inspire us to better our communities.' If everyone could hear that, really hear that, and do one thing every day that somehow improves their community, can you imagine the results?

Lots of heavy thoughts on this cold San Francisco morning. Happy Tuesday. Love to all from the west coast.

Emilie Parker 

*Photo from abcnews.com