Tragedy

Last week we experienced a horrible tragedy in the city I live in.  Five university students were stabbed to death by a fellow classmate at an end of the year house party. This is the largest mass murder in our city’s history and particularly hard because all five victims and the accused are in their early 20’s.  Everyone in the city was stunned and heartbroken. It hit my family close to home when we found out that my daughter went to school with 4 of the 5 victims.  We are all struggling with our feelings and coming to terms with the loss and senselessness of it all.  While we try and deal with our emotions around this event, I am struck by the need to join together.  There is an energy that surrounds tragedy and disasters that can help us heal if we allow and participate in it.  As is always the case, first of all we need to acknowledge our emotions and feelings, this is not the time to put on a brave face.  Whatever we are feeling; sadness, anger, disillusionment, confusion, frustration, disbelief. . . .these are all legitimate emotions.  Acknowledgement and acceptance is the beginning, the next step is to share.  Share your feelings, your words, your tears, your stories, your heart with others who are struggling. This shared experience creates the energy necessary for healing.  While it is natural to want answers, the how the why, I can’t help but think that even if or when we do get these answers they will be of little comfort.  The result will not be changed, our feelings may be replaced by different ones but the reality remains the same. Compassion for the parents, friends and family of these young people, for the accused and his family, for the others at the party who witnessed the horror is our natural reaction.  This compassion is healthy and necessary for them and for ourselves.  As we all struggle to deal with this tragedy, the only words that keep coming into my heart are. . . . JOIN TOGETHER.

My condolences to all of the people directly affected by this tragedy, my hope is that time will heal your wounded hearts and love heal your broken spirits. Our thoughts are with you.