Deepest sympathy

[LitTrog]

I think people are still in shock over it. Its not just this forum. None of my associates on Facebook have said a word either or any of the other forums and blogs I haunt. What can you say? This isn't a tragedy; a tragedy is a flood or a tornado, or an unfortunate car accident. This is a HORROR ... perpetrated by a man on his fellow man. I don't think the English language possesses words to describe the feelings this engenders. Sympathy? Sympathy is so insufficient a sentiment that its not even in the same galaxy as what I would want to express. Compassion, numb, frightened, horrified, terrified, angry ... these are words that come closer, but still wholly inadequate.

Bingo. I have friends who live across town in Aurora (where the shooting occurred) and I spent all day yesterday frantically making sure that they were okay. One couple has twin teenaged boys who love the Batman series and had the family not been leaving for a camping trip early Friday morning, those amazing young dudes would have been there. A situation like that can really eat at a person, though...you realize that your relief means that someone else's life has just exploded. I hadn't posted about it because I had no idea what to say. A rant about the f****** animal who did this didn't seem appropriate--I just went to work, cheered myself up posting my typical idiot comments on X-marks, and went home and grabbed my little family--wondering how in the world I'm supposed to be their hero and protector when random crap like that happens. There is a shocked pall over the entire metro area right now; it feels so much like the Columbine High School shooting of a few years ago.

[Piipriker]

I'm left speechless too. What I first thought, was, that it did happen almost a year after the massacre on Utøya island in Norway.

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

As a massive Batman fan, I was at an early screening of the new movie. The excitement was palpable. Parents with their children, couples of all ages on date nights, and fellow comic book geeks ready to see their hero on the big screen were in attendance. I'm more than sure the atmosphere was the same in Aurora. All kinds of people out for a night of fun and escapism. I can't get my head around why one person would plan to turn that into a night of hurt,tragedy and death.

I spent yesterday making sure a friend of mine who lives near Aurora, who was planning on fun night of movie going was ok. He is thankfully.

It's just so sad. My thoughts go out to the victims, family and friends of all involved.



Sara

[English Bloke]

Speechless! Deepest sympathy indeed.

[longhuntr74]

I read on FB that Travis Butterworth's daughter (most of you know him as Nighthawk) was present in the theater. Thankfully, she got out unscathed except for a face full of teargas! Sympathies for the families of those that were not so fortunate.

[rmccool]

There are some horrors that simply defy our efforts to express them. Even after a quarter century in the public safety professions, and more exposure to the dark side of humanity than I like to remember, some things still create feelings that are just beyond my ability to put into words. There simply is no explanation that rational minds can understand. We can only give thanks for those who escaped and pray for comfort for the friends and families of those who did not.

[Nighthawk]

Trog, longhuntr, yes, my girl was there. She's kinda the hero of the family. She managed to save another kid. She saw him running towards the exit with the shooter and dragged him to the floor, hiding both of them until the police showed up. She was there with several friends, one of whom ended up in the hospital with shrapnel in his leg. He, however, was out in a few hours and fine. They're all in rough shape emotionally. She's having nightmares. So physically all of the kids with whom I'm associated are fine. I think there's going to be a long healing process though... Thank you all for your concern. I was going to post yesterday, but I wasn't in a good place myself, so I didn't.

[guardsman]

lit Trog I tend to be flippant at such things , but your words were true and moving. We in Britain are not touched by this sort of thing since hostilities stopped with the I.R.A. You awaken sympathies with the families concerned. I take my hat off in salute. You have a warped sense of humour so to see such an earnest post is quite something

[Beertigger]

Nighthawk,

I'm so deeply thankful your daughter is OK, physically. Please do ensure she gets the help she needs to get through this; some mental wounds can be worse than more tangible ones.

As a member of a community that was deeply affected by a mass shooting 18 months ago, I've some small idea what the people of Aurora are going through.

I'm of a mind that we're facing an epidemic; not counting the incident in Aurora, 143 people have been murdered and 300 wounded in mass shootings in the United States just since the Tucson massacre.

Being moved is not enough if we are not moved to do something.

Lest I hijack this thread with my thoughts, you can read more at Another massacre: Prayers no longer enough if you're interested.

[knotty]

My heart cries out to people at time goes at times like this.
My thinking brain tell me there are no bad people, only bad actions. Then something like this happens...
Love the ones close to you, because you dont know whats going to happen when they walk out of the door.

Craig