A Dark Night

First and foremost, what happened Thursday night/Friday morning in a darkened movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, is a tragedy.  I can't imagine how the friends, families and victims must feel.  (I hope I never have to know how they feel.)  I pray that the outpouring of sympathy from around the world can provide some comfort for those involved.

I haven't paid a lot of attention to the media this weekend.  Are they behaving themselves?  What I'm about to write is no reflection on anything I've seen or heard.  And while the two thoughts I have about it may sound hopeless, please consider them a statement of facts as I see them.  I'm not trying to be sarcastic or pessimistic about it.

First thought:

I clearly remember the day of the shootings in Columbine.  I had known Michael for only a couple months and we were at Todd's apartment off Antioch (the one where he kept his Christmas tree on display year-round).  The news about that tragedy was all over television.  As I watched, I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing.

Thirteen years later, while still an unforgiveable event, I don't feel the shock or disbelief I felt over Columbine.  Remember, we've also had 9-11 since then.  I don't want to think I've grown insensitive, but I must have become desensitized.  These things happen now; it's a part of life.  Of course, I wish they didn't and it weren't.  But they do.  And it is.

Second thought:

I have no interest in playing the blame game.  There is no one or no thing responsible for the actions of the "suspect", James Holmes.  Perhaps we search for a reason because it's unfathomable to believe a human being could be capable of such a heinous crime.  No matter what he's watched on TV or at the movies, no matter how he was treated by friends and family, no matter what, period... There had to be something wrong with him from the very beginning.

Therefore, there is probably nothing anyone could have done to prevent the violence in Aurora.  And I don't know that there is anything we can do to prevent similar acts in the future.  Metal detectors aren't going to do it and gun laws aren't going to do it.  These things happen now; it's a part of life. Of course, I wish they didn't and it weren't. But they do. And it is.

Perhaps these tragedies are reminders that life is short; you never know when it's going to end.  So we absolutely must do everyhing we can to take advantage of it while we have it.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  Stop and smell the roses.  Be kind to others.  There are hundreds of sayings.  Maybe one day when we all remember them and they truly become part of our actions, there won't be a need for these horrible reminders.