Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Dianna Doles Petry

Oct 4, 2006

School Shootings

Dianna Doles Petry

Normally, I can watch the news and although it often touches my heart, I do not lose my composure over much of anything. Today, for the first time since 9/11, I found myself with tears flowing down my face and my heart feeling as though it had been partially ripped from my body and left hanging for the world to see. A man with a gun had entered an Amish school, a little one room school house, and taken out his internal anger on innocent young girls.

I thought about all of the measures we are taking against terrorists and drug dealers. The people of our nation are attacking each other, this is so much worse, at least in my eyes. After 9/11, I refused to stop flying. I was not going to give in to the terror that had gripped our nation. When groups of people promote hatred or prejudice, I can fight that, I can stand my ground. What in the world can I do about something like this? I feel so helpless to make a difference.

I listened to the news reports and heard that a 32 year-old man had carried a grudge for over twenty years and that is what sparked this senseless tragedy. That means he was 12 years-old when someone did something to him and he's never forgotten it. His own wife did not know about the pain he was carrying around inside of him until today when he called her from the school and told her to read the notes he had left for her and their children. So many questions, so few answers and yet, life must go on.

People all over the United States, the world for that matter, were shopping, eating, going to school, giving birth, planning funerals, planning weddings, etc., just as we do in life. Life did not stop for even a few seconds when the shots were fired and those young girls lost their lives. The young men there will forever wonder if they could have done something to help them. They will forever feel guilty that the girls were killed and they were set free. They will never understand how their faith could have brought them to that point and through that point. Not one life in that community was left untouched and yet, in the grand scheme of things, it didn't slow the world down at all.

I apologize for rambling this evening.  I know that these things happen. I guess I just feel so close to those parents tonight. I came so close to losing my daughter, Crystal, and then my son, Chris, that I can only imagine what they are dealing with. Thank you for being a part of my life and for allowing me to share my thoughts and feelings with you and know that they're safe.

Love and hugs,

Dianna

Dianna59@charter.net