After the Shooting Stops,We’re Here

Even as we had been preparing to grill, my friend began sharing from her childhood.  How her father once lined up her and her siblings in the backyard and made them watch as he took a gun and shot their family pet to death in front of them.

My friend then shared other childhood incidents from her life too gruesome to mention here.

It’s sad.  Yet, too often I have seen it happen in families – rich, poor, educated and illiterate alike.

Every time I encounter this cruelty, I thank God for my family.  Don’t get me wrong, we are not perfect.

I tease my mom and dad that they nearly worked me to death to wear me out so I wouldn’t get in trouble as a child.  They look at each other and smile.  That was their plan.

They were building my character … not a friendship with me.  They wanted me to survive in the world.

So, is it the luck of the draw?  My friend was raised by a monster but she seemed to do “well in life” and moved on, despite repeated tragedies in her life including her husband being killed by a drunk driver when she is in her mid-20s leaving her with a toddler to raise on her own.

And me, though I have not had an easy life, per se, I have always had a family to talk with, pray with and rely upon.  My friend has not had that support system.

Then, I hear about Orlando yesterday.

A monster emerges again and does the unthinkable.  He killed (at last count) 49 people at a nightclub.  The largest shooting incident recorded on U.S. soil.

No one knows why.  There are clues, hints.  But we are left to ask, “Why?” “Can laws be changed?” “Did he hate seeing gay people kiss in public?” “Was this an act of terrorism?” “Was he mentally ill?”

Yet, what about those who are killed?  What about those forever maimed by physical scars and emotional wounds?  I pray the survivors have the kind of family support – biological or a family they have formed for themselves – to help see them through this crisis.

If not, I hope they reach out for help.  If this event hits close to home for people reading this and triggers painful memories, I hope you will reach out.  We have groups where LGBT teens can talk about their fears.  We have groups were parents of LGBT teens can discuss their concerns and uncertainties.

Please consider this:  If you are having trouble coping with this event, for whatever reason, reach out to us and we can help you.  Call 765.662.9971.

Whatever you do, don’t sit alone at home and stare at the TV or computer screen.  It’s just people talking about the same thing over and over.  And they are guessing at the topic.  Get with people who can help you get to the real story about you.  Call us today.