“I need to write something, but I just don’t know what to write.”
That’s the thought going through my head since Monday, March 22nd, 2021.
March 22nd – now an infamous day on the calendar. The day my community of Boulder, CO was hard hit with a horrific tragedy.
I was on the highway driving toward Boulder that afternoon when more than a dozen police cars flew by me at breakneck speed. I wondered, “what the heck is going on?”
I knew it couldn’t be good, given their speed, the number of cars, and especially since the police vehicles were from another county. They all got off the highway at the Table Mesa exit and headed west. Little did I know at that moment what was going on.
Sadly, by the time I got to my place in Boulder, the texts were rolling in – an active shooter was at the King Soopers. The rest, unfortunately, is now history. A moment the community of Boulder won’t ever forget.
Ten lives lost in an instant. Ten people who woke up that morning going about their “normal” business in what many call the “Boulder Bubble.” Now that bubble has burst.
When someone you know loses a loved one, it’s always hard to know just what to say. You want to comfort them, wrap your arms around them, and let them know it will be alright. But, will it be alright?
How long?
How long will take for the families of those lost to recover?
How long will it take for those who witnessed the shooting to heal?
How long will it take for the community to get answers to this senseless event? And even with answers, how long will it take to feel safe going anywhere?
Throughout the pandemic, I’ve written “stay safe….” in emails, texts, notecards. I said it about COVID, to friends on Kaua`i dealing with flooding, to friends when fires were burning out of control, and more.
But those who walked into the King Soopers that day thought they were safe. When I shop, I too think I’m safe.
Will we all now look over our shoulders, scan the entrances and aisles in fear? For our sanity, I certainly hope not.
I am writing and letting my fingers do the “walking” across the keyboard without censoring my thoughts. My heart is heavy. The hearts of Boulder are heavy. I am sending love and light to my community and to you, wherever you are.
#spreadhope
Photo credits: Me, Boulder, Colorado
