Strong and Sad
The latest round of senseless gun violence has shaken most of us to our core. The repetitive loss of life in such horrific and tragic ways shatters our sense of safety and breaks our hearts. Even though we may not know the victims in Buffalo, Uvalde, or Laguna Woods, we still bear the weight of the collective sorrow and grief. Then pile on the daily losses that we witness as we see the COVID-19 deaths continue to rise higher and higher with each sunrise and sunset.
In this moment of heavy hearts and tear-streaked cheeks, we stand in sadness and with the cloak of grief wrapped snugly around our minds and spirits. We stand wondering when will the next bullet claim a life that was busy in the ordinariness of living…sitting in a school’s desk, picking an item off the grocery shelf, or lifting hands in holy worship.
In these excruciating moments…
Ask for help…The ask is being strong.
Let the tears freely fall…The crying is being strong
Talk to a Counselor…Engaging in mental support is being strong
Sitting in silence…The processing is being strong
Let us not embrace or uphold the dated definition or expression of strength, in which we did it all on our own, not asking for help, ignoring our pain, and pretending that we didn’t feel the painful throbbing of our battered heart…No! We are strong because we are asking, seeking, and supporting each other in the sadness.
We are strong! We Cry! We are Strong! We hold Safe Space for each other! We are Strong!
We are SAD and we are STRONG!
~KDP