Aurora

The world is reeling from the news of the massacre at a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado.  The senseless death of twelve innocent people and the injuries of dozens more, all of whom were simply out to enjoy a movie, is almost beyond comprehension.   The fact, as we are now learning, that the killer must have planned this evil act for months and knew that many people would die by his actions is horrifying.  He left booby-traps behind in his apartment, putting at risk the lives of the police officers he knew would be entering his home.  The horror is intensified because this murderer apparently lived a normal life, had a university education, in fact excelled at college and was at the top of his class, and because he came from a middle-class family -  just like so many people we know and grew up with.  How is it possible for one person to hurt so many people in a calm and planned manner?

 Out of the ashes of this great tragedy, stories are emerging of ordinary people performing heroic actions.  We are hearing stories of people, true heroes, who risked or even gave up their lives to save another’s.  We already know of two men who threw themselves on their girlfriends to protect them, and lost their lives but saved that of their loved ones.  Mothers risked their lives to protect their children.  Total strangers helped each other as the horror played out all around them.  Ordinary people became super heroes.  The strength and compassion of the human soul was in great evidence that night.  That is the important element of this tragedy which we need to remember.  It was not “each man for himself”, people helped each other and in some cases put themselves in harm’s way to do so.  In the aftermath, the world has put a collective arm around the families who lost a loved one, have offered compassion and prayers for those who were injured and have given support to those who witnessed the terror and survived.  Each time another horrific assault like this one occurs, dozens of unlikely and ordinary heroes emerge.  Theirs are the stories we need to remember.

 Rather than lose faith and hope in mankind because of the cruel act of one man, let us marvel at the bravery and unselfish acts of those in that theatre, and at the compassion of so many others all over the world who offer prayers, support and love.  Finding hope, friendship and love in the face of great horror . . . it’s a good thing!