Responding to a Tragedy

When I got up this morning, my heart was in Stillwater and I immediately reached for my phone to get an update. Did the severely injured make it through the night? Was there any additional news that would help me make sense of this tragedy? Was there someone I forgot to check in with who was not OK? 

What I've seen on social media so far is great sadness and bittersweet stories: a little girl who was going to her first OSU homecoming with her aunt and grandma but who "got her first helicopter ride" instead when she was life-flighted out of the carnage; a couple who died who had previously set up a scholarship to OSU after he served for 26 years as an award-winning professor; an OSU student who was pushed out of the way of the car by that professor's wife; the firefighters and National Guard members who were part of the parade and ran to the scene, likely saving lives; a Methodist minister who just happened to be at the hospital when the doctors told the family of the two year old that they were unable to save him. 

I also saw the mugshot of the woman who caused this horrific tragedy. As I scrolled down my newsfeed, I was struck that I had not read any comments that directed anger toward her. As the reality sinks in, it's possible that may change, but I hope not. She did a devastating thing, but let's not respond in kind. 

A wise person once told me that we are all one bad decision away from losing everything. Let's take this moment to feel the truth in that statement. She is facing justice and will likely go to jail for the rest of her life. Let's let the legal system do its job and let us turn to those who need us. Let's pray for and comfort the families, and contribute to the memorial funds, and assist those who were injured when they come home from the hospital. 

The world is watching to see how we handle this, Cowboys and Cowgirls. Let's show them who we are. #LoyalAndTrue #StillwaterStrong