Keening

The story of the most recent mass shooting has hit close to home. Wednesday night twelve people died in a mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, California, which is about 45 minutes from where we used to live.  One of those killed was a young man from our town who graduated from the local high school in 2014. His sister, a friend of one of our sons, was also there. They both worked at the bar, which was close to their school, California Lutheran. He was a bouncer and helped teach line dancing. He had just finished a dual degree in criminal justice and music.  My daughter said teachers at her high school were in tears all day. He had been a well-loved student, the school mascot, a lifeguard, a talented musician, and a friend to many. His father was retiring from the SEALS this weekend. A friend who has a son with special needs has shared some touching stories about his friendship with her son and others with special needs. She also shared a beautiful video of him singing "How Great Thou Art" on Facebook. I'm not sure the link below will share the video, and I feel torn about sharing it on Facebook because I don't know the family. But from what others have shared, it is obvious he had a beautiful voice and a kind and joyful spirit. These stories give a face to the tragedy. He will be missed by many.

I did not know him or his family, but his mother has been in my heart all day.  I want to say I can't imagine what she is going through, but I do imagine it. Like all mothers, I am haunted by the fear of a call that comes one night to tell me of a child's accidental or tragic death. Seared in my memory is the sound of the crying of a friend who lost a son to suicide. I had come to bring her family food a couple days after his death, and she could not prevent a deep, brutal wail from erupting.  Although surrounded by family and friends who loved her, she was destroyed by his death and died from an overdose the next year.

May the mother of this young man take comfort in the knowledge that her son died trying to save others, that his memory is cherished by so many people, that his story is an inspiration to countless others.

A local newstory:
https://fox5sandiego.com/2018/11/08/coronado-remembers-man-killed-in-thousand-oaks-shooting/

I ended up sharing this video on Facebook, even though I didn't know Justin. It's not my story, or my personal loss. But I would want my child remembered, especially doing what he loved and bringing joy to others. And perhaps, maybe, putting a face on this act of violence will prevent some future loss...
https://www.facebook.com/hannah.karzin/videos/2122304821155173/

Now parts of Thousand Oaks and the surrounding area are on fire. We have some friends who have evacuated - their daughter's high school is burning - and the Navy base at Point Mugu has been evacuated, and my husband's office is on high alert.  This part of California may not have tornadoes and ice storms, but these fires are just as destructive. And yet, wildfires can also be lifegiving - necessary for some species to survive.