Love

Orlando is “Home” to me. Waking up and seeing it all over the news in Las Vegas was jarring. Not as jarring as the reports that poured in.

Those who know me well know I’m what my family loves to label, “overly emotional.” I used to see this as a negative thing. It’s not. I feel. I have a lot of ‘feelers.’ It doesn’t matter that I don’t love you or even know you but I will shed tears for you and I’ll pray for you and if I can, I’ll even help you. Days after the horrific tragedy at Pulse Nightclub happened and I still can’t wrap my mind around it.

My own emotions are nothing compared to the pain and despair the family and friends of those killed, injured and the survivors themselves are experiencing. I just can’t… the thought alone brings tears to my eyes. My stomach is cramping and the urge to be sick is becoming almost too much. My own pain and emotions don’t matter right now. If you’ve ever lost a loved one, you know the pain the families and friends are experiencing will never truly leave. May they find peace, in time, with their newly promoted angels.

Coming together and unitying as a community is the only thing that will heal The City Beautiful. Seeing images of hundreds of people donating blood, food, supplies and their time is beautiful. It brings me peace and hope seeing their love and compassion pouring through their actions. It also makes me proud to call Orlando home.

A million thank you’s and kudos to the Police, EMT’s, Doctors, Nurses, and volunteers that worked their butts off to ensure the smallest loss of life. May they find peace with their actions and decisions.

Lastly, good-bye, for now, to the souls who have passed. May you always know the impact you left on the ones you loved and who loved you. Gone but never forgotten.

❤ Be kind, even when it’s the hardest. Love, because the alternative is just not an option. ❤