This morning I awoke to the horrible news of the mass shooting in Las Vegas in which, at the time of writing this, 58 individuals were killed and over 500 injured.
It shouldn’t be like this.
Just hours ago, those 50 individuals excitedly departed their homes and their families to attend a concert. It was a concert they had likely looked forward to for quite some time. Today they should be telling their loved ones about the great time they had, who performed, what songs were played.
Instead, their families are reeling in sadness and loss.
It shouldn’t be like this.
Right now, 500 individuals are fighting for their lives, and at the very least, have weeks or months of recovery ahead of them. All they wanted to do was attend a concert. All they wanted to do was have a night of fun.
It shouldn’t be like this.
Seven years ago, my husband and I visited Las Vegas in what ended up being our last big pre-parenthood trip. Little did I know that I was, at the time, already pregnant.
This morning, the same Vegas streets I walked on seven years ago are filled with fear and devastation. And, I wonder, “what kind of world did I bring this child into?”
It shouldn’t be like this.
We are soon departing on a family vacation. Today, I am worried for the safety of my children and my family on our vacation. Instead of teeming with excitement, I am filled with an uneasiness about the crowds we will be among. I worry there is nowhere that is safe anymore.
It shouldn’t be like this.
We should be able to attend concerts, festivals, church, marathons, sporting events, and the movies without fear of being injured, shot, or killed. Our children should attend school in a world where they do not have to practice lock down drills. We should be able to go on vacation, visit new places, and enjoy new experiences without fear.
It shouldn’t be like this.
Today my heart aches for our country, our world, our children.
Despite all of this, we will press on. We will refuse to live in fear. We will not stop living our lives because of the “what if’s.” We somehow will come together, pick up the pieces and persevere.
But…
….It just shouldn’t be like this….
