Due to the recent tragedies in Aurora, CO I decided to forgo a new article this Friday and instead offer a day to remember the countless victims of this tragedy that occurred on 7/20/12 @ 12:38 am MST. If you haven’t heard about what took place you are living way too far in the dark.
On 7/20 I was working into the wee hours of the morning online like I tend to and needed a lil cat nap at 4am so decided to do so and near 5am I bolted wide awake to a breaking news report on the TV that there was a massive shooting in Aurora, CO at the mall inside the movie theater at around midnight where everyone was trying to watch the new Batman movie. I almost shit myself. The first reports were 15 dead, countless others hurt or critical... Not only a crazy and surreal incident no matter where it took place but even more so with Aurora being one of two places I consider home. I lived in Aurora for countless years before moving to CA. I worked in that same mall in my younger years right where this happened, the movie theater that actually used to be located inside the mall at one point a number of years back. People were being triaged at my old high school for hell’s sake... I just couldn’t believe what was taking place. I’ve seen enough tragedies in my time thus far, witnessed enough, lived through enough horrors of being around the wrong places, states- NY, CO, others, all at the wrong times and sadly it just never ends. When this happened I felt immense anger, anxiety and dismay over this, not only for those affected but those I couldn’t account for in the midst of this chaos. Again another place I consider home affected by yet another tragedy all at the helm of some little punk from San Diego who thought he was cool. While spite & revenge might not be the right answer, I believe an eye for an eye is. I have plenty more thoughts on this but won’t continue to give more energy to the hate I feel inside and instead try my hardest to express it in a more positive light.
I’ve prayed for the safety of friends some of which were never accounted for. For the people still critically injured, those dealing with a lifetime of physical and/or mental anguish, the brethren, the ones who lost their lives over this mindless bullshit and for all the families it has affected; my heart goes out to you.
I’m due to fly back next month to celebrate my birthday this year and once there I plan to pay my respects. Even though this trip will now fall on such a somber tone I plan to try and celebrate for the ones lost, present and the friends & fam I’m thankful enough to still have here and share my time with.
People; when will we ever fuckin learn!?
© 07/27/12 Renee Lopez
Comments