An Ugly Reminder of Beautiful Things

I've had a hard time concentrating this past week. The recent tragedy in our community has been consuming at times and difficult to wrap my brain around. It is all too easy to become overwhelmed with fury and frustration that this has happened in our beloved community, but that doesn't change that fact that it did. In addition to hugging the kids a little tighter, taking our safety MUCH more seriously, and getting involved in an effort to prevent this from ever happening again, I realize that in the end this horrific ordeal has become a invaluable gift. Never before have I seen this depth of kindness and compassion among strangers, seen unwavering dedication and diligence and felt such unity and solidarity with the community as a whole. Not because we knew Chelsea King or her family, but because it was the right thing to do. I am thankful to have witnessed that kindness, selflessness and positivity can and will be reciprocated. From this, I feel hope and not despair, I feel empowerment and not weakness and I feel joy beyond the sadness. We have all been affected by this very ugly tragedy and we have all been changed by it. What makes it beautiful is that that we will be better people for it. And for that, I am grateful.