Day 14: Day of Mourning

I feel today is an inappropriate day for me to continue expressing my thanks without acknowledging the day's events. Today a man walked into an elementary school after killing his mother and started gunning down children and then turned the gun on himself. As of this writing 20 kids between ages 5 and 10 and 6 adults were killed. I'm not entirely sure what this post is going to be, I'm upset, I've had most of the day to cool off but some things need to be said and I'll do my best to do it rationally.



I'm sure you've all figured out that this isn't okay, it never really is when people are murdered. Though it seems to hurt even more when someone preys upon the weak. I don't have a lot of readers and they'll probably never see this but I want to recognize that Christmas will never be the same again for the poor mothers and fathers who lost their babies. It doesn't mean a lot nor does it change anything, but my heart goes out to each of the families who've been affected by this tragedy. I don't want to forget the families of the adults whose lives were taken this day either, in some cases it may even be harder for them because its very likely their loss will be overlooked in the days to come. Also the family of the shooter lost a mother and wife and a brother and son today, they're stuck in a horrible position where they probably don't know whether to feel angry and betrayed or mournful and empty, we'd do well to remember them in the coming days as well.

I'm going to do my best not to demonize the shooter, no mortal knows what inner demons he had to face, we don't know the measure of his life, we're in no place to judge him. Regardless I don't condone his actions no matter the life he lived and his mental state. One of the greatest challenges in life is separating a sinner and sin, we can never accept the sin but must always accept the sinner. I'm not going to admonish the families to forgive this action, its not my place, and in their place I can't say I'd be able to do the same. I do however want to challenge each of us to refrain from railing against this man for what he did, it's hard I won't say I haven't already broken this rule earlier today, but nothing will bring those lost back especially hate mongering.

I want to mention that there have been other tragedies of similar nature lately, just because there were less fatalities doesn't make them any less tragic. It's a fact that needs to be recognized that not everything makes the national news, be that wrong or be that right is a rant for a different day. I feel like it needs to be said though that if you used the word 'but' in your status updates today in relation to this and other similar incidents your point was probably lost as for myself I felt that it did nothing but downplay the severity of this situation to peddle the news of other events (e.g. 'I feel awful for the families in CT BUT there have been other shootings too and they should have made the news').

Gun control, you had to know I was going to bring it up, the news and social media are a buzz with it. I'll try to keep it short and to the point. Firstly, on the topic of gun bans and more control, tighter gun laws and bans only keep weapons from law abiding citizens. It has been said a million times and will be said a million more in the coming weeks. It is a plain and simple truth. Criminals will find a way to get what they want and achieve the goals they seek. Thinking gun control laws will stop something as awful as this is as naive as thinking there wasn't any pot in Washington a month ago. Secondly, lighter gun control and concealed carry laws very well could have prevented many of the deaths that happened today, and in the Colorado movie theater shootings for that matter. A friend and mentor of mine put it best (and concisely) when she said,

"One teacher, or two, trained in self-defense with a firearm, could have saved many, many lives today. And the laws that prohibit firearms on school grounds had no effect (whatsoever) on the madman today."

It is my hope that we will be able to show love and support to all those who've lost someone today, remember that hate breeds hate. If we choose now to talk about political matters we need to not loose sight, anyone with an opposing opinion is probably just as hurt an outraged as you are about these events. Also in a few short days many of us willing be celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, let us choose to do as He would do, let us not speak evil of those who have conflicting views and the poor soul who took his own life today. It will be a challenge, in fact I've edited this post through out to try and follow my own advice. Always hold your families close and remember to extend your love in the coming days.