Finding words & processing emotions is tough today. 
I know I’m not alone in feeling this. 
We are all shaken by this tragedy, being brought together because of it, 
but feeling it in our own way. 

We can’t imagine what the families are going through,
because no matter what we may feel,
it’s nothing compared to what they are now forced to endure,
for the rest of their lives.

My heart – all of our hearts – break for them.

It’s terrible that it takes horrific tragedies like this one to
remind us just how precious life is. 
I wish it didn’t take something like this to put things into perspective. 

But my gosh, what a punch in the gut this was to us all. 

In an instant, it woke us up from our own concerns, 
and made us realize the fragility of life, 
and the beauty of simply waking up to another day. 

Our daily worries & stresses that consume our thoughts 
instantly shrink or disappear when we are suddenly reminded that
the only thing that matters in life are those we love. 
Our people are the most important thing we have, 
and we are never promised tomorrow with them. 

It’s a sad, but also beautiful truth. 

The beauty of life is that we get to love. 
And the beauty of death is that it reminds us of this.

Love is a gift.

That truth doesn’t make it easier to deal with loss, 
but it gives purpose to the way we live.

I know what to do or how to feel no better than you. 

But I guess… we have to carry on with love.

Love our people harder. 
Show them & tell them every day. 

Love those who think differently than we do.  
Set aside our beliefs and listen. 
And love, even if we disagree.

Our country, our world, is so divided, 
but we have so much in common. 

We know this. 

But now we’ve been reminded.

We all just want to love & be loved. 
We can, and we have to, come together in that. 

No one is above death, 
and no one is unworthy of love. 

We’re all going to leave this world one day. 

So let’s love each other while we’re here. 

Let’s love each other while we can.

❤️

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