18 school shootings in the first 45 days of 2018. 11 Police
Officers killed in the past week. These tragic events are more than just numbers and statistics. They are the stained and torn fabric of our
country. Images of children being forced from schools to safety with hands in
the air are becoming the iconic images that define us as a country.
Within hours political leaders are quick to offer “our
thoughts and prayers” as if to provide sympathy or comfort to those who must
now deal with the nightmare of the tragic death of a loved one. It’s meaning has become hallow and worthless
When someone says my thoughts are with you, what meaning is there
behind those words, how can we even imagine what that person is going through,
how their life has been changed, what emotions are tearing at their very being.
It’s one thing to offer our thoughts to a relative or friend but when a
political leader utters the same phrase, where does the meaning come from
behind the words?
But more than offering thoughts and prayers it’s time for
those who have been elected to serve our country, defend our constitution and
protect our freedoms, to finally put meaning behind their thoughts for victims
and families. Only they have the power to bring life to their words by finally
realizing why they chose to serve this country.
Too often they are referred to as Politicians instead of the
elected official sworn to uphold the rights and freedoms of American Citizens.
They let politics be their excuse for the inability to create needed change. They
were not elected to deliver their thoughts and prayers, we gave them the power
to enact change that will allow us to go about normal lives and no longer live
in fear of our fellow citizens.
If we can no longer feel safe dropping off our kids at
school, going to a movie or attending an outdoor music festival, what good are
these rights and freedoms? No longer can we hold accountable just the deranged
shooter but it’s time that those who
have the ability to actually make the changes to give back the freedoms we
cherish to take the blame and be held accountable as well.
You Mr President, Justices of the Supreme Court, Senators
and Representatives now have the blood of the innocent victims on your hands
and it cannot be washed away through thoughts and prayers. Only your actions
can bring changes that will allow your constituents to enjoy the freedom to go
about normal lives. Until then fear is the new normal.
We always hold high
the courage of first responders’ and the job they do even though this is what
they are trained to do and the profession they chose. I am grateful for these
brave people, but my thoughts and prayers would be they never have to
experience for real what they are trained to do. But on a cold Saturday morning
in Westerville, OH, the unimaginable happened and 2 loved and respected police
officers, husbands and fathers lost their lives to yet another shooting by a
man who illegally purchased the weapon used to gun down these heroes.
We also praise the efforts of everyday Americans as we open
our hearts and wallets searching for ways to help the victims of events that we
wish never happened. My thoughts and prayers would be that instead of defining
ourselves as those who come together when needed, we are those who come
together to celebrate the peace and love we have for each other.
I was recently astounded to hear a group of young people ages
of 25 to 40 sharing what they had in their “bug out bags” and what they felt
they needed to survive should our country be devastated by something other than
natural disasters. These are the people who will be the next to bring about
change and define our country and instead of talking about hope and dreams,
they were discussing fear and selfishness.
No longer are thoughts and prayers enough, it’s time for
action that finally brings change. Not to sound like a 60’s flower child but my
hope and dream is we no longer ask or deliver thoughts and prayers but instead we
live our lives in peace and with love of one another.
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