This is my third post and my first post in the “Major Event” category. Today is 9.16.22, and I am dedicating this one to my friend’s dad.
I was young when I knew him. Growing up, he was always bubbly and nice to me. I remember his great smile, his bling tooth, and his big bear hugs. He lived for religion and his demons, but his one true love was his family. I did not know him well enough to call him a great man, but he very well could have been. I do know he was a good man, which is evident from several of his actions that my friend and her family post. He was charitable and kind to others, and as I witnessed, he always obtruded happiness, although I know he was pretending a lot of the time. Pretending is a charitable gift, and it takes a special person. And yes, everyone has their issues, but everyone deserves to be remembered for the good in them and not the stumbles they make throughout their life.
Today is the 9th anniversary of the Washington Navy Yard shooting. It was a horrific day. The day 13 people died, including the shooter. If this event does not scream “life sucks” I don’t know what does.
Most of us have experienced death in one way or another. But when you experience a violent, unnecessary death like this, it is a bitter, hard pill to swallow. Not only did you lose someone you loved or cared about in an instant, but you also must relive that day over and over in your life. It is not like when someone dies of an illness, which also sucks, but a violent death always makes you question everything about that day repeatedly. Why did the shooter do this, why did they not see this coming, why him, why God!? One of the hardest things, though, is the unknown questions about the event itself and what they were thinking or going through their mind. Reliving those moments and questions is unimaginable.
I remember the moment clearly, it’s funny because I don’t remember a lot of moments in my past, unlike my friend who can recount every moment we had growing up. I was at home in my room when she called to tell me her dad was one of the victims. Mind-blowing I know, what are the odds of that? At that moment I don’t recall caring about him, I was only concerned for her. She is okay now, but she always makes a point to remind us to never forget. That is a common theme when we live through great tragedies in our lifetime – a good theme at that.
But the reality is, we do forget. Life gets in the way, and yes, we forget until we are reminded. I was reminded today, and I am happy I was. Today, I am spending time with my friend. Today, I am going to remember because tomorrow I will forget again until the next time I am reminded. He did not deserve to die, and he does deserve to be remembered. And my friend does not deserve to have to relive this horrible moment alone.
So never forget the people who died and never forget the friends who must relive the day, every day. Because I get to forget tomorrow, they don’t. Help them cope with that moment by being there for them, at least once a year! That is the least we can do.
“Oh, what a beautiful morning, oh, what a beautiful day!”
