I came to re-visit my "UN-rant" today to quietly reflect and say a prayer for those involved in this weekend's shootings in Orlando, FL. Friday night the senseless murder of a 22 year old woman. Saturday night the senseless murder of 49 men and women having a good time. The only "comfort" (if you can even call it that) is knowing both murderers are dead, one by his own hand, one in a police shooting.
No matter what my situation in life is, it will never be as terrible as Christina Grimmie's brother's. He watched his sister get fatally shot. It will never be as terrible as Christina Grimmie's family. They have to bury one child and comfort another, who will no doubt spend a lifetime wondering what he could have done to "save" his sister. (Mark, you couldn't have done anything. You're a hero. You saved other lives.)
It will never be as terrible as the families of the Pulse club's victims. They'll never get to hold their loved ones again or say all of the things they've been meaning to say. It will never be as terrible as the men and women that survived the horror of that night. Survivors guilt is devastating. So is PTSD. I wonder if they'll ever get the help they need? I pray they do.
One of the things I read regarding the early stages of the investigation is haunting. When the victims were still in the club and everything was quiet, the police heard the ringing of the victims' cell phones. Frantic calls placed to make sure friends and family were OK. Calls to cell phones that would never be answered.
Tragedy has a way of putting life into perspective. No matter how crappy I'm feeling about my life, there's someone, somewhere, going through a much worse time than I am. I hope everyone is able to shoulder the burdens that you've been given.
Godspeed, Orlando.
