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Tragedy

When a tragedy occurs, it affects our heart forever. I'm sure everyone who lived through it -- can state exactly what they were doing, where they were, and how they felt during events such as: 9/11, President Kennedy's shooting, John Lennon's shooting, the Columbine shooting, and the list goes on.

We cannot compare tragedies. We can't say "This was worse than the other". (in my opinion). A tragedy is a tragedy. And today we experienced one in our country. This specific one was close to my heart. So, I feel the need to write about it.

Today was the 1st day Ryan and I entered our "political careers". We are both running to be Precinct Committee members in our district -- and this morning we attended our 1st meeting. During the middle of the meeting, a woman entered the room - shooken up - stating that a shooting had occured less than one mile from where our meeting was being held.

A House of Representative Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was speaking at an event in my neighborhood at a grocery store. The event is called "Congress on your Corner". A great, empowering, event where our congresswoman speaks about issues and recieves input from the citizens. This is supposed to be a safe place for involved citizens can commune to be involved in our democracy.

In the midst of this meeting, a shooter broke out.

Our Congresswoman was shot in the head, along with many others. 18 people were injured. So far 4 have died.

4 people have died. 18 injured. All innocent people. One of the victims a 9-year-old child.

The shooter was a 22-year-old man. One who had been putting leaks out on social media (i.e. You Tube, Twitter, MySpace) all week that something was going to happen. He was a student who was bullied through high school. He was clearly a very disturbed young man. Nearly 30 rounds were fired out of his handgun. How chilling and terrifying.

Right now, as I have been glued to the news stations all day, I am paralyzed. --Just speechless. This is a moment where political affiliation does not matter. Right wing, left wing -- throw it out the door at this point. Innocent lives were taken and affected today. And their lives will never be the same. Freedom, justice, and faith has been compromised.

I understand people may have differing opinions, views, etc -- but to take someone's life? No one has the "power" to choose that.

I am deeply saddened by the state that our world has come to. This is not an "Arizona" problem, or a "Tucson" problem. It is a problem of humanity -- that prooves violence is increasing in our world -- and it needs to stop. So today I focus my prayers on peace.

Comments

I'm so glad you wrote because I was checking to make sure you were okay! (my next plan was to blackberry message Lisa!). This really is terrible... and proves yet again why we need to reach kids when they are kids and prevent them from becoming adults like this!
Amber said…
I found out about the shooting this afternoon and right away I BBM'ed Lisa and was like "I know Tucson is probably massive but was it anywhere near your sister?" Imagine my surprise when she said it was ONE MILE from you! That is SO SCARY and so unnecessary and so, just, wrong...

Glad you guys are OK! Things like that are just so unexpected and it's hard to shake it off, ESPECIALLY when it hits so close to home!
Jess said…
When I heard about this yesterday, you were the first person I thought about. I'm so sorry that this hit so close to you and so sorry that it even happened at all.

I never know how to deal when something like this happens. I'm just glad you and your husband are ok and I'm thinking and praying for everyone involved.
Mama Nastase said…
Abby, as you know, the first thing I thought of when I realized the location of the shooting (and that Congresswoman Giffords was shot-that this was a political event) was to yell at dad to call Ryan.

He ran into the room and asked what was wrong. I could hardly tell him, I was breathing so hard. I told him that Gabby Giffords had been shot at a political event on the Northwest side and that he needed to call and make sure you guys were ok.

He took a deep breath, smiled and said, "Ryan's ok, he had Guard this weekend." I started to cry and told him that Ryan got off Guard to go the the GOP meeting...and that you guys were so close to this location he had to call, NOW.

We were so relieved and happy to hear you were ok, but it was still so emotional for both of us.

It is devastating to me that this happened in our FREE country, this Democracy, this "civilized" nation. You and Ryan will always remember this day for many reasons. I hope that fear of situations like this doesn't preclude you two and other young, talented, good hearted people from seeking to serve our country in elected office.

We love you both very much.
You wrote about this so well, Abby! What an absolute tragedy. :( It just makes me sad that things like this can happen - and it's chilling that it was SO CLOSE to where you live - and was a store you shop at.

My thoughts/prayers go out to the victims and their families...
Marlys said…
Wow, I loved your post! This was such a tragedy and what has transpired since the shooting is so sad. This had nothing to do with politics - and for this event to be blamed on innocent people who had nothing to do with it is unbelievable! I think it is a travesty that the left wing and media is turning this into a political event! This was the action of a severely mentally ill individual and had absolutely nothing to do with politics! I love that you made that very clear! Congrats to you both for becoming involved in the political process! I am proud!

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