Today is Valentine’s Day. A difficult day for survivors since the Parkland shooting. I don’t know if the murderer picked the day because of its symbolism. But it sure hurts to be celebrating the ones you love on the anniversary of the day when so many lost theirs. Valentine’s Day will never be the same because of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas massacre.
As a grandmother who lost a grandson in the Sandy Hook shooting ten days before Christmas six years ago, I know only too well how painful holidays are for the bereaved, year after year.
Today I am torn between being profoundly happy and grateful for my loved ones and profoundly depressed at the thought of the ones who were taken from us.
Consider this. Since Parkland a year ago, there has been 1125 gun deaths of kids in America.
To all survivors I will say this: we grieve with you. Every day. And we long for the ones who will never come back. It takes a very long time to accept the fact that they won’t. I don’t think I have yet. Sometimes I think a grief so profound can only be a nightmare from which one cannot fail to wake.
And to the rest of you, please read this letter that was sent to the New York Times today. I wish I had written it.
MC,
Another poignant reminder of how, as a society, we so utterly fail to protect our children and what does that say about our culture today….not to mention all the children we loose to drug overdoses, abuse at the hands of adults, neglect….the list goes on and on and on. Overwhelming, distressing and utterly disturbing. For those trying to work within the system, as I once did as a mental health worker until it became too much for me – watching kids slip through the cracks while the all mighty dollar takes precedence is a daily occurrence…
My personal bend on this is that love isn’t a sentiment, it is something that takes action yet how? I don’t even know how to answer that question after all of these years of trying to do my best to stem the tide…..
Thanks for continuing to remind us of the fragility of life and our responsibility to continue to do all we can to be aware members of our own communities.
Take Care,
JanetH
MC,
Thank you for sharing your grieving process with honesty and heart. I think of you, Noah, and your family often. This violence is so senseless, and our country has been negligient in its legal and social response..
Listening to the TAL story of the bravery of your daughter and son-in-law, I’m just disgusted that these worst elements of our society would prey on the grieving. It’s just disgusting and it makes me feel furious and terribly sad for our culture and, frankly, humanity.
I take solace in knowing that most Americans are not so easily manipulated and that profound cultural change is slow, but will come. I’m sure this is small comfort to someone being irrationally targeted at their vulnerable moments.
With care, concern, and respect,
Melina
Thank you, Melina. It means a lot that you remember…