I was going to share something humorous with you today, but given the shooting at Fort Hood I just cannot find the wherewithal to do so. I am saddened by not only the injuries and deaths that occurred at Fort Hood yesterday but also the litany of injuries and deaths we have seen across our area and the nation recently. Some have been accidental and some have been based on acts of violence, but all have been heartbreaking. Babies, young children, older children, adults – all gone too soon – and why? Not that understanding the why helps to fill the void…it is just one of the placeholders for the anger and grief.

I feel for the families of those who have lost or who are now trying to help a loved one recover from a horrifying incident even though I cannot begin to truly imagine their pain. These things that happen rarely happen to a single individual – more likely they happen to a family which is attached to a community of folks who share the pain and the angst. Often there are folks far outside the community that strongly identify with the victim or the victim’s family and also reach out. Sometimes it is all too easy to imagine that but for the grace of God the victim could have been your child, spouse, sibling, relative or friend. We are reminded that our lives are wrapped around a myriad of risks and complexities that could at any given time change dramatically our every day reality.

I am particularly sensitive to the Fort Hood event as I spent time as the parent of a Fort Drum soldier. As a parent you pray that they arrive home safely from overseas deployment and heave a sigh of relief when their feet touch American soil again. Yet with this incident we are reminded that no one is ever completely safe. We are all theoretically but a moment away from something that could be the end of us or the end of life as we know it.

Today there are countless members of the Fort Hood family asking “Why?” The answer will provide no solace for those who have been impacted or for those who watch from the sidelines wondering how such a thing could happen. This is true of many others beyond the base who have lost loved ones unexpectedly. Be it a loss that is deemed an accident or a purposeful act of violence, the ultimate heartbreak lies in the loss itself.

Today we will note that are all connected in the sorrow of what has befallen those around us be it slain children, the loss of our three Dickinson State University students, Dr. Gattuso, the soldiers, civilians and families of Fort Hood, or countless others that are taken from us too soon or whose lives are forever changed by such incidents. In others’ sadness and grief we can see what would be our own and we can feel sympathy if not empathy.

The world is a complex and risk-filled place and on any given day one’s whole universe can change…my prayers go out to those that are struggling with the injury or loss of a loved one today. I hope that all those affected by all of these horrible tragedies will know that far beyond their families, friends and communities is a bigger circle of folks who feels for them – we are all connected in sorrow, in joy, in pride, and in hope.  Today I hope that serves as some small solace to those who suffer disproportionately.

Day one hundred and twenty-four of the new forty – obla di obla da

CC