Twenty-three years ago I was in Denver, Colorado. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris were in Littleton, Colorado. On April 20, they killed 13 innocent people and 24 others were wounded. Those Columbine High School Seniors, those who survived, are now in their 40’s.
Politicians railed against this senseless tragedy. But little has changed.
Mass shootings slowed to one a year for the next two years. Then zero in 2002 and one each in 2003 and 2004. From 2011 to 2019 there were 65 mass shootings. Since 2013, a mass shooting has been defined by Congress as murder of three or more people in a location close to one another.
I think about the victims of the Columbine mass shooting every April. I wonder how life has turned out for the survivors and the families of the victims. Frankly, I can’t imagine the challenges they have faced. The loss, the trauma, the memories.
I only knew one family personally involved. Their child survived. They were blessed and fortunate.
As of last year I now know a relative involved in a shooting. It couldn’t be defined as a mass shooting because only two people died. There were other victims who survived, including my relative. They are each dealing with physical recovery as well as PTSD in one form or another.
No one can put themselves in the shoes of a survivor. Whether it’s a mass shooting or someone dealing with PTSD as a result of service through law enforcement, first responders or the Military. Cliches like “You are blessed to be alive,” “It just takes time,” “You just have to tough it out,” “You need more faith,” not only do not help, they are detrimental to the mind of the individual.
Every survivor has a different road to travel. They need time, space, patience, understanding and a listening ear.
In my effort to better understand I was made aware of a book by Sgt Q entitled “Healing thru Service.”
It was written for veterans dealing with PTSD, but the principles and key points are applicable to anyone dealing with trauma, drama and anxieties in their lives. I’d strongly recommend reading this book. It would be a worthwhile investment of time to anyone dealing with anxiety or PTSD. Or for anyone who knows someone who has gone through a life-changing stressful situation.
Stress of a hundred types seems to surround us daily. We should be looking for answers to deal with stress.= of all kinds.
Over the years I’ve given many talks on Servant Leadership. Service can be an enormous healing mechanism. If you don’t know Damon West, check him out. He’d agree with me. I’d also recommend a plethora of scripture as it relates to healing and service. Particularly Chapter six in the book of Ephesians.
There are so many ways to help others deal with stress and anxiety. Taking the first step down that path to healing is always the most challenging. But that is where the journey to not only surviving but thriving begins.
Until next time…