We here at Renewing Hearts realize that so many of us have been impacted by the news in the past couple of days especially those near our headquarters in Central Florida.
It was bad enough to hear about the shooting in Ft. Hood in Texas and see all those people’s lives end so abruptly and unnecessarily. What a tragedy that was.
Now, we are reading and hearing on the news about a mom who has allegedly abuse her 7 month old baby and tried to hide it with her baby sitter. What goes on in a person’s mind? Mercer, (mom) and Baker (baby sitter) have both been arrested. That probably gives most of us a sense of relief, to say the least. Shannon, (7 month old baby) seems to be ok.
To top it off, we have to experience another tragic shooting right in downtown Orlando, right where we live. More innocent people killed for no apparent reason. These are our neighbors. It makes us so sad. More than that, we are angry! What is going to happen to the people who do these despicable acts to the innocent?
Our mind goes crazy wondering what Jason Rodriguez was thinking; “I want revenge!? Will they get my message?” While the rest of us ask, “Is he mentally ill?” None of us can fathom what must have been going on in his mind to injure 5 people and murder 1. What? Does this mean that every engineer who loses his job should feel like he should go on a shooting rage to get back or prove something? We think not!
What must it have been like for those people trapped while Rodriguez was on his rampage? Tremendous fear, anxiety and panic, for sure. Our hearts go out to all of you who had to live through this act of horror. We are so very sorry for each one of you. Those of you who were actually there in the midst of it all, must be going through emotions that no other, will experience.
We, at Renewing Hearts wish to lend support if we can. Please know that we are available to talk to you and lend a listening ear and help you with other resources, if need be. You our neighbors, friends and family, and we care about you greatly.
Some of you are close to those who were there and we want you to know that Every person will handle this differently so do not have expectations or tell them how they should feel or behave. Let them process it with you, or with someone they trust. Some may be angry, some weepy, some may develop PTSD. If you are a friend, family member or neighbor, give lots of hugs, don’t push just let them be, unless the behavior is out of control. This could be drinking or drugs. It could be wanting revenge and coming up with a plan. Of course, this would be an extreme, but it is a possibility so be sensitive to each one’s reaction to their experience.
Since most of us were not there, we cannot understand what was experienced or felt from their perspectives. It is true that all of us had strong feelings when we saw the news show him being escorted away from his mother’s house. CNN reports that when he was asked why he did it his reply was, “They left me to rot.”
What does that do to our hearts and minds? If it is strong for us, then again I ask, what does this do to those who lost a family member or who are sitting at the hospital with their wounded friends or spouses? It all is very disconcerting, I’m sure.
Be a friend. Show love and care. Give space, where needed. Don’t over protect. It is a challenge, but it is worth it to those who need us.
