A Week of Tragedy

By Monique Rhodes

May 27, 2022



It's been a tough week. 

Even those who don't live in the United States have felt devastated by the past day's events. 

My heart goes out to all those directly affected. However, there are so many indirectly affected. I can't imagine the fear of so many young people going to school. I can't imagine the fear in so many parents' hearts as they send their kids to school. I didn't grow up like that. School, for me, was a haven. 

It's hard not to feel helpless in the face of this type of suffering. What can we possibly do?

On the day of this tragedy, I asked my community to think about one action they could take today to make the world a more loving and safe place.

Some of the responses were so moving. 

One person said, "I am going to reach out to a friend's teenage daughter who is having lots of emotional ups and downs. As a community, we need to care for all of our young people and make sure they know they are loved unconditionally and they have a soft place to fall."

"I'm going to tell my family and friends how much I love them and just what they mean to me!"

 Another wrote, "I donated to a non-profit run by young adults wanting an end to this senselessness."

And "I made breakfast today for my partner who is an elementary school teacher. And I sat with her holding space for her to talk about everything she was feeling and fearing about the tragedies at Robb Elementary School yesterday."

You see, we may not be able to stop the senseless tragedies that strip our world of beautiful, innocent shining lives. But we can do something. We can put something back into the world in their honour. 

And that's what I encourage you to do. Is there one thing you can do today to make the world a more loving and safe place? It doesn't matter how small. 

And let's share those thoughts and ideas to inspire each other. 

Imagine if we all did one small thing. There are thousands of you. What a difference that would make. 

  • As always Monique, thank you for this. I reached out today to my neighbors with 6 and 8 year old boys. Invited them all in for tea and milk and cookies for the boys, their favorites of course. Oded said a beautiful prayer in Hebrew that we all participated in…sang a beautiful prayerful Hebrew song…then we hung out and talked! The 8 year old was very angry that the government refuses to act and the 6 year old calmed him down and quietly asked…”What can we do Aba?” Aba is daddy in hebrew. Aba told him it was a great question…and a quiet helplessness pervaded the air…and then ideas❣️…we “all” decided to start a petition in the building to extend out to other buildings on our block. The boys so darling so adorable and so smart helped write it. To be sent to our Congressmen and women. And to email and call our senators, the white house, the whole mob…
    Ended up ordering delicious Italian food in for dinner. Big hugs for dessert…All my Love

  • I believe in the power of prayer. I pray that the senseless killing will stop and there will be peace across the whole world. I also pray that the families and friends of those who were killed or injured will find peace.

  • Make time for community with friends and/or family to talk about what they know/understand and how people are feeling, and even what their action intentions are moving forward.

  • Today my daughters friend reached out to me in regards to the difficult time she being having. I congratulated her for seeking counseling and told her I would be there in anyway I could support her.

  • pray for those who are troubled that they reachout to find help
    Pray for those who are anxious that they find peace
    pray for lawmakers who can do something to help to act

  • Thank you Monique for showing us a way to bring light into this dark world. I am going to buy some chocolates and gift them to the teachers at my local school. Thank you for getting me to think outside of the box

  • I am going to volunteer at my local homeless shelter in honor of these kids. Fantastic suggestion. Thank you for your guiding light Monique

  • As always, such a wise and loving response. Thank you for all you bring to the world Monique. You are much needed at this time

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