The four year old was getting the first cast of the family that morning - a jungle-gym descent gone bad, leaving her strong, little arm with a fracture. I was on deck to deliver the six year old to the second day of first grade. With the 2 YO in the stroller, all went as clockwork - we waved to her as the line of happy first graders filed into the school building. Came home - to the news at Appalache and lost my breath. I had just watched not only my six year old grandling enter school - but hundreds of other little bodies anticipating a full day of friendship and learning in their respective classes. Flash. I watched her in my mind's eye walking into the building, looking over her shoulder for one more wave.
What happened at that high school should never happen. EVER. Vote your values.
Thanks for sharing, Karen. A cast on a 4 YO is a heavy burden.
Turning to Apalachee, I can see why a hurt person will lash out to an aggressor. But, the serial shooters lash out indiscriminately. It is as if they carry general grievances against humanity and are unable to resolve them. Political knee-jerk solutions do not help. Complex problems may require complex solutions. Laws are inadequate to deal with human complexity.
Hate speech, IMHO, aggravates the situation. We are receiving negativity from all corners. We must be careful not to absorb that negativity as we navigate life. Each of our actions has its effect.
you know, i fully agree. looking at that father and 14 yo, i saw intergenerational trauma - i could speculate, but our mental health care resources are inadequate and seen as exceptional rather than simply one leg on the developmental stool. that said, hate speech, and accessibility to fire arms are part of the equation. “Make America Care Again” … because i know so many of us do.
I thought along those same lines b/c my daughter teaches third grade in a public school. It doesn't matter that her school is in a low economic area. The shootings are everywhere and I worry about her safely.
I remember being told over and over again as a child that needed to "thicken my skin" and "toughen up". I am glad, Manuel, that you didn't and that I didn't -- as well as others. Thank God for tender, caring hearts.
You touched my heart and my soul to the core. This normalization of mass shootings or ANY SHOOTING IS DEPLORABLE. DISGRACEFUL. SHAMEFUL FOR AMERICA.
I have two granddaughter's: they are 26 and 20 and the oldest is getting married next month. Even though I love children, I pray they chose not to have their own. My ashes will be in the wind, worrying about them and the youth of America. Just a few years behind you , I was born with thin skin when it comes to empathy and sympathy. As I get closer to that final curtain, it is bruising much quicker.
I have no regrets. I am just extremely sad, in the words of a very smart man ( my son) :
"SOME PEOPLE ARE TOO STUPID TO LIVE"
WHY?? I believe it comes down to greed and power.
(I love Rabindranath Tagore, the Bard of Bengal. He was way ahead of his time.)
Thank you for sharing your intimate feelings, Verónica.
It is interesting how the human experience includes a mixture of opposites: love/hate, joy/ sorrow, etc. The world needs a constant supply of people like you to balance our existence.
It is too bad that I have begun to get familiar with Tagore just recently, at age 75, thanks to chris cavanagh.
The Bard of Bengal's words apply so well to our times. As you say, "He was way ahead of his time."
I think our collective hearts have become too thick to be able to make the necessary changes here. we need more people like you, manuel, who have the strength to continue to shed tears over each tragedy and to not look away.
Thanks for your kindness, Elizabeth. I would add that I don't think that we need people like me, though. We need people who can think and feel for themselves.
I never thought I would be so afraid for my children (5) or grandchildren (9) and their futures. I was terrified in 2016 and nursing students were crying when I arrived on campus. It is not good for my 7th decade to have an overwhelming level of cortisol. I’m mindful of raising mine and everyone else’s oxytocin levels. In 2014 I had the chemical formula tattooed on my chest. Best teaching tool I’ve ever had.
.. the skin i live in .. & wear - is the ‘human condition .. & gladly ‘put it on’ as Marshall McLuhan suggested to Tom Wolfe.. ‘like a writer picking up their pen - must ‘put on their audience ..
.. through thick & thin - am just a Canadian & north american citizen of spaceship earth & hypermedia artist - just as McLuhan predicted.. manning the outposts of Culture & Technology
.. neither Religion or Politics are welcome or allowed within my salamandry site here in ‘substack.. but via Comment or Notes will ask the hard questions.. & take no prisoners - ever ..
.. Question ? Who or What do RELIGIOUS Americans Fear so much they Countenance a ‘Guns & Ammo ETHIC & CULTURE’ to extreme levels - whether ‘Open or Concealed Carry in Public or In Home - & this aside from the Normalcy of Hunting or Sport Shooting or ‘Rational Property Defence - ‘Relative to Their Environment - whether Farm or Ranch, Urban / Suburban or Variety of Community sizes or Neighborhood ?
.. I ask this as a Canadian .. & we do not have an ‘Amendment’ such as the USA does .. Perhaps it’s just my naive & feral nature .. But I was ‘a young farmer & had ranching experience & owned & used many guns & faced a range of Actual Threats.. & Indeed am someone who worked in specialized Maximum Security roles with Murderers & Violent Offenders & as well as in Drug Addiction & with the Emotionally Disturbed .. yet am Astonished that Crossing the Invisible Border to Maine or Montana or North Dakota or Flying into Salt Lake City, Boston, Miami or Tennessee will find myself in a Land of Gun Culture ..
This ‘Hard Question - is Just For - Actual RELIGIOUS Americans - Today Being SUNDAY morning - but welcome those who’s RELIGIOUS Beliefs are Not ‘Sunday Centric
Never. As I have said throughout all this, I might not be surprised, but I'll never NOT be shocked, Manuel.
Same. Shocked and deeply saddened EVERY time
The four year old was getting the first cast of the family that morning - a jungle-gym descent gone bad, leaving her strong, little arm with a fracture. I was on deck to deliver the six year old to the second day of first grade. With the 2 YO in the stroller, all went as clockwork - we waved to her as the line of happy first graders filed into the school building. Came home - to the news at Appalache and lost my breath. I had just watched not only my six year old grandling enter school - but hundreds of other little bodies anticipating a full day of friendship and learning in their respective classes. Flash. I watched her in my mind's eye walking into the building, looking over her shoulder for one more wave.
What happened at that high school should never happen. EVER. Vote your values.
Thanks for sharing, Karen. A cast on a 4 YO is a heavy burden.
Turning to Apalachee, I can see why a hurt person will lash out to an aggressor. But, the serial shooters lash out indiscriminately. It is as if they carry general grievances against humanity and are unable to resolve them. Political knee-jerk solutions do not help. Complex problems may require complex solutions. Laws are inadequate to deal with human complexity.
Hate speech, IMHO, aggravates the situation. We are receiving negativity from all corners. We must be careful not to absorb that negativity as we navigate life. Each of our actions has its effect.
Peace and healing to you and your family.
you know, i fully agree. looking at that father and 14 yo, i saw intergenerational trauma - i could speculate, but our mental health care resources are inadequate and seen as exceptional rather than simply one leg on the developmental stool. that said, hate speech, and accessibility to fire arms are part of the equation. “Make America Care Again” … because i know so many of us do.
Well said, Karen.
I thought along those same lines b/c my daughter teaches third grade in a public school. It doesn't matter that her school is in a low economic area. The shootings are everywhere and I worry about her safely.
I remember being told over and over again as a child that needed to "thicken my skin" and "toughen up". I am glad, Manuel, that you didn't and that I didn't -- as well as others. Thank God for tender, caring hearts.
Yes, that same message was delivered to me. I never could do what they wanted me to do. Still can't.
Thank you for your compassionate comment, Ashley, and for your support.
This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thanks for your kind comment.
You touched my heart and my soul to the core. This normalization of mass shootings or ANY SHOOTING IS DEPLORABLE. DISGRACEFUL. SHAMEFUL FOR AMERICA.
I have two granddaughter's: they are 26 and 20 and the oldest is getting married next month. Even though I love children, I pray they chose not to have their own. My ashes will be in the wind, worrying about them and the youth of America. Just a few years behind you , I was born with thin skin when it comes to empathy and sympathy. As I get closer to that final curtain, it is bruising much quicker.
I have no regrets. I am just extremely sad, in the words of a very smart man ( my son) :
"SOME PEOPLE ARE TOO STUPID TO LIVE"
WHY?? I believe it comes down to greed and power.
(I love Rabindranath Tagore, the Bard of Bengal. He was way ahead of his time.)
Thank you for sharing your intimate feelings, Verónica.
It is interesting how the human experience includes a mixture of opposites: love/hate, joy/ sorrow, etc. The world needs a constant supply of people like you to balance our existence.
It is too bad that I have begun to get familiar with Tagore just recently, at age 75, thanks to chris cavanagh.
The Bard of Bengal's words apply so well to our times. As you say, "He was way ahead of his time."
Peace to you.
Thank you for mentioning Tagore, Manuel. As I creep closer to 80, thinning skin is not as much a concern as failing eyes with which to read.
Thanks for your comment, Frederick. Likewise, I am becoming bionic— hearing aids and cataract surgery, et al. 😎
I think our collective hearts have become too thick to be able to make the necessary changes here. we need more people like you, manuel, who have the strength to continue to shed tears over each tragedy and to not look away.
Thanks for your kindness, Elizabeth. I would add that I don't think that we need people like me, though. We need people who can think and feel for themselves.
I never thought I would be so afraid for my children (5) or grandchildren (9) and their futures. I was terrified in 2016 and nursing students were crying when I arrived on campus. It is not good for my 7th decade to have an overwhelming level of cortisol. I’m mindful of raising mine and everyone else’s oxytocin levels. In 2014 I had the chemical formula tattooed on my chest. Best teaching tool I’ve ever had.
Peace and oxytocin with us all.
Wise words, Barbara. Thank you.
Too many humans have allowed their skin to be thick and unresponsive. I'm counting on the thin skinned among us to show the need to feel .
Thanks for your comment, Gracie. I agree.
Anther great piece from someone who's skin is getting thin too.
Thanks for your kind comment and support, Scott.
.. the skin i live in .. & wear - is the ‘human condition .. & gladly ‘put it on’ as Marshall McLuhan suggested to Tom Wolfe.. ‘like a writer picking up their pen - must ‘put on their audience ..
.. through thick & thin - am just a Canadian & north american citizen of spaceship earth & hypermedia artist - just as McLuhan predicted.. manning the outposts of Culture & Technology
.. neither Religion or Politics are welcome or allowed within my salamandry site here in ‘substack.. but via Comment or Notes will ask the hard questions.. & take no prisoners - ever ..
.. Question ? Who or What do RELIGIOUS Americans Fear so much they Countenance a ‘Guns & Ammo ETHIC & CULTURE’ to extreme levels - whether ‘Open or Concealed Carry in Public or In Home - & this aside from the Normalcy of Hunting or Sport Shooting or ‘Rational Property Defence - ‘Relative to Their Environment - whether Farm or Ranch, Urban / Suburban or Variety of Community sizes or Neighborhood ?
.. I ask this as a Canadian .. & we do not have an ‘Amendment’ such as the USA does .. Perhaps it’s just my naive & feral nature .. But I was ‘a young farmer & had ranching experience & owned & used many guns & faced a range of Actual Threats.. & Indeed am someone who worked in specialized Maximum Security roles with Murderers & Violent Offenders & as well as in Drug Addiction & with the Emotionally Disturbed .. yet am Astonished that Crossing the Invisible Border to Maine or Montana or North Dakota or Flying into Salt Lake City, Boston, Miami or Tennessee will find myself in a Land of Gun Culture ..
This ‘Hard Question - is Just For - Actual RELIGIOUS Americans - Today Being SUNDAY morning - but welcome those who’s RELIGIOUS Beliefs are Not ‘Sunday Centric
https://tod.aminus3.com/image/2011-11-07.html
I would not wish that on that rhino😢