I am so sad to be writing AGAIN about mass shootings. Its not the topic I intended to cover today. I have a post in my mind regarding fall festivities. Things like pumpkin carving with our neighbors, our family halloween costume and baby Rays 6 month update.
However, yesterday there was ANOTHER mass shooting and its all that is on my heart and mind today.
When. Do. They. End? Better yet, when do WE start doing something to end them?
In my previous post about mass shootings, I shared that loving each other was the only answer I know. And that stands.
But I must add that we HAVE to start shifting our view toward increased gun safety.
Before you quit reading, because, well, 2nd amendment! Hear me out.
I grew up in Texas and my dad has been and still is a hunter. We have always had guns in our house. I am NOT anti guns. Guns are OK in a controlled environment with the right training and in the hands of a healthy person. But we as a society have proved time and time again that we cannot keep all these elements aligned.
Why?
I don’t know.
Maybe its a lack of mental health support, or increased violence in the media, movies and games, or a widening income gap. Maybe its something I haven’t listed at all. Despite the reason(s), we have a problem that needs to be addressed.
In fact, addressing it is FAR overdue.
Think of all the people who might still be with us. There are so many beautiful lives that should still be here.
Admittedly, I don’t know where to start in order to help urge changes in gun safety law. But my research starts now. I don’t consider myself very political, mostly because politics make me sad. But I’m not ok with not trying. I’m not ok with knowing that we are potentially no longer safe at concerts, or churches, or the movies. And our kids are not safe at college, or heck, even elementary school.
Damn.
That’s sad.
Hopefully, my next post is about fall festivities. I really want it to be. But for today, I’m contemplating solutions. Not big lofty ones, rather little small ones. Ones that even I can do, with a hectic part time job, a baby and all. If you have thoughts on how we do this, please share.
We can do better than this shit.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a good picture for this post. But pictured below is a rainbow in the desert. It was taken on a friends road trip through Arizona. To me, it symbolizes hope and thats what I need right now.
“Most times, the way isn’t clear, but you want to start anyway. It is in starting with the first step that other steps become clearer.”
― Israelmore Ayivor, Leaders’ Frontpage: Leadership Insights from 21 Martin Luther King Jr. Thoughts
Dina Schroeder says
It is heartbreaking. 😔