When words are not enough

A congresswoman was shot.  A 9-year-old girl with dreams died.  A conservative judge also died.   Some came to shake the congresswoman’s hand; others were bystanders. A woman, wounded, tackled the shooter before he could reload.  And this was not a movie.

I spent Saturday afternoon and evening glued to CNN.  Words failed me.  I ranted at the television, and railed at the reporters for repeating things over an over.  As if that mattered.  I just could not find the words to explain how I felt.

I can tell you now.  Actions speak louder than words.  Bravery, like the woman who stopped the shooter from reloading, is required.  Bravery, like Congresswoman Gifford, who waded in the public domain after a brutally divisive and nasty re-election campaign, is crucial.  Bravery, like that of Judge John Roll , who died accidently, but had threats against his life for making a decision from the bench that others found wrong.

We don’t all need to be  heroes.  But we can all be active.  For all those who died, and are suffering.  For their families.  For the 9-year old girl who wanted to meet a congresswoman and had been elected to her student council…..we must be ACTIVE.

Being passive is not an option.  Violence is not an option.

Our hearts go out to the families affected by this senseless tragedy.