When Tragedy Strikes

I am now at the point of being at a loss for words, and have the words ready I have mulled around all day.  People ask how do we get this problem from happening again?  While there is not one PERFECT answer that we could do, I think a lot of what we need to do is start being better people the moment we are entrusted with little people to care for.

Now I am not saying that it is mandatory that we become strict rigid parents and shield them from the world.  That is wrong.  What I am saying is that we teach our children responsibility, love, and safety.  In a response to a facebook comment I left on a friend's page:

"I think the biggest statement we can take from this is to teach our children to be responsible human beings; keeping their rights, their morals, and our love close to them... and teach them that they are worthwhile. It may not be popular, but I taught my girls to shoot a BB gun this year as an entry into guns. I believe in protecting yourself and being responsible with it, and passing that responsibility onto your kids."

I have to wonder if the young man who did this, really knew he was a worthwhile human being buried beneath the darkness?  What was his support system like?  It is this young man's fault that he pulled the trigger, but I'm wondering where everyone else was in his life?  I wonder what happened with his mother that would leave him so angry he'd shoot her at work, and then, turn and fire on innocent children.

When you look at this world, there is a huge lack of love.  Does it take something this tragic to make you love your children and appreciate them more?  Does it make you grateful you have presents, however inexpensive or expensive they may be, that your children will open, and won't be left untouched?  Love is the greatest power in the universe.  Truly.  

People create things because they love to, because it makes them feel good.  All I can think is there was a lack of love somewhere for something like this to happen.  So, yes, be the change you want to see in this very sad world.  Change the way you treat and talk to people.  You never know that your passing glance in judgment or lack of acceptance may be the straw that breaks the trigger puller's back.

Be Kind.  Give Love.  Find Peace.

All my best, 
Amy