This is not the post I had planned on putting here in my little space online today. I have joined many,  friends and mere acquaintances, in sharing thoughts like, “Speechless. There are no words. Senseless. Not again, not here.”

But the reality is there are words. This can make sense. It did happen here, again. It can happen later today, there. Anywhere.

I chose to write about this today. Because that is part of what I do as a communicator. I do have some opinions I’ll likely share later.  If one person reads this post and thinks for a moment a bit differently, shares their thoughts that may help others, reads the links I will include below, takes action, makes a plan, says a prayer, appreciates their loved ones a bit more, whatever it may do to move you – even the slightest bit toward a dialogue. Well? Then I’ll feel better about the time I’m taking to write.

Earlier this morning, I couldn’t seem to go to sleep as the events of today in Aurora, Colorado, not far from where I write this now, were unfolding – I wrote a brief Facebook update intended for my friends and family. Simply saying my immediate family was safe. I knew I’d wonder had such an event happened elsewhere, where I have family and friends. I tweeted and retweeted.

I can’t deny, I paused. I felt a bit odd posting at 3 a.m. when I should have been sleeping like the rest of my family. I was cautious because I didn’t want it to appear I was thrusting myself, our family, into the spotlight simply because of our proximity to the horror at the movie theater across town. That horror not being the film. But the actions, the calculated plan of, perhaps, just one person. He shall remain nameless in my post. He made the name he may have intended for himself. I won’t give him additional notoriety.

He could have been anywhere. In fact, he/she has the potential to be everywhere.

Sadly for the state of Colorado, where I call home, this is a jolt back to other events and the people who planned them which caused loss of life, chaos, questions. But it CAN also bond us. Not just Coloradans, hopefully.

I suppose my primary message today is that there are words. There are ways in which we can use them. Many people are writing. Sharing. In my opinion, that is just one good thing that comes from a bad thing.

Leaving you with more words. I’d appreciate if you choose to share, you do so with compassion. It is too soon for division, arguments, pushing an agenda, joking about the specific events from Aurora, Colorado. We should not be defined by this heinous plot.  People should not panic. We can learn, grow, heal, remember, act, grieve, spread love, peace and understanding. Appreciate our differences and marvel at the work of our first-line responders. Help thy neighbor.  Teach. Respect. Hope.

Share.

 HeartColorado.com created the flag I found for this post. My friend added some text, if you care to share: http://www.coloradomoms.com

http://bodhibear.net/2012/07/call-for-love/

http://coloradomoms.com/featured/theater-shooting-in-aurora-during-dark-knight-rises-midnight-showing/

http://blogs.babble.com/babble-voices/roadside-assistance-kristen-howerton/2012/07/20/talking-to-kids-about-tragedy-will-you-discuss-the-colorado-shooting-with-your-children/

http://www.denverparent.net/index.php/2012/07/aurora-colorado-shooting-how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-it/

http://imaginationsoup.net/2012/07/how-to-help-your-kids-deal-with-the-colorado-shooting-tragedy/

http://blogs.babble.com/momcrunch/2012/07/20/social-media-mistakes-during-tragedy-an-argument-to-not-outsource-or-schedule-posting/