I love flowers.
I think the love of flowers is
a universal thing and
one that we can all agree upon.
Nothing relaxes me more
than arranging flowers
into a pretty bouquet and
displaying them in the Cottage.
This past week
has been one that most Americans
will never forget.
I have been affected by it
more than I can say.
Some first reactions may be
that our blogs are not a place for politics
and
let me just state
here and now
that isn't what this post is about.
It is about something
that has touched my soul and
because I consider all who read this
to be my friends,
I think of you to be the best ones to hear me out.
Some first reactions may be
that our blogs are not a place for politics
and
let me just state
here and now
that isn't what this post is about.
It is about something
that has touched my soul and
because I consider all who read this
to be my friends,
I think of you to be the best ones to hear me out.
It started a week ago
when a young man with a gun,
a gun that was only made
with the intent to kill humans,
in time of war,
in time of war,
let loose his evil agenda
on many unsuspecting people
enjoying themselves at a celebration
that has been going on for years.
I am talking about a celebration
that is held in
the back yard of my hometown,
Santa Cruz, California.
Practically my whole family
lives there and
we have all attended many
Garlic Festivals in Gilroy
over the years.
As near as I can tell,
none of my family members were there
on this specific occasion but
certainly many other families were.
People with children,
people with hopes and dreams,
people that would never think
their lives would be lost
while they were enjoying
such a simple thing.
people that would never think
their lives would be lost
while they were enjoying
such a simple thing.
Can you just imagine
the excitement of going
to a happy place and
coming home without
your two year old baby?
Then,
as we were watching TV on Saturday,
the news came that
20 people had been killed
in El Paso, Texas,
with 26 injured,
and then waking up
the very next morning
to more news of
the nine people killed
the nine people killed
in Dayton, Ohio,
along with many more injured.
Even though
all these shooters are not
of the same minds,
the tragic outcomes
are all the same.
along with many more injured.
Even though
all these shooters are not
of the same minds,
the tragic outcomes
are all the same.
The story continues
to be the same and
as I was trying to put my
simple little blog together,
about decorating,
about how I can make my world better,
it hit me like a ton of bricks...
None of that would be
of any importance
at this time
when so many are hurting.
of any importance
at this time
when so many are hurting.
After all the school shootings,
we offered our thoughts and prayers.
After movie theaters
and nightclub shootings,
we offered our thoughts and prayers.
After churches and mosques and temple shootings,
we offered our thoughts and prayers.
After concert and celebration shootings
we offered our thoughts and prayers.
After domestic violence and drive by shootings
we offer our thoughts and prayers.
After concert and celebration shootings
we offered our thoughts and prayers.
After domestic violence and drive by shootings
we offer our thoughts and prayers.
And yet
the shootings still continue.
Now, it is people going
school shopping for their kids
that are receiving
thoughts and prayers.
The sight of the police
lined up in WalMart and
a gunman,
dressed in full combat gear,
stalking human beings like animals,
a gunman,
dressed in full combat gear,
stalking human beings like animals,
looks like a bad movie
from a third world country.
Thoughts and prayers
are certainly appreciated but
if myself or a family member
were the one's receiving those
thoughts and prayers,
I would want that and much more.
Some will say
that we have to take care of
the mental health of our citizens and
that is so true.
Are the people that carry out
these attacks mentally ill?
In my opinion,
you bet they are,
but the fact is
but the fact is
there are many other countries where mentally ill reside and
they do not have the amount
of mass killings
that we do in our country.
they do not have the amount
of mass killings
that we do in our country.
I don't know what the answer is.
I do know that
there is at least one bill
sitting on a desk in the Senate
that would be a helpful tool
in fighting this problem
if it were to pass.
Maybe the reason
the bill won't be brought up
for a vote is
that it might have a
good chance of passing.
I do know that
there is at least one bill
sitting on a desk in the Senate
that would be a helpful tool
in fighting this problem
if it were to pass.
Maybe the reason
the bill won't be brought up
for a vote is
that it might have a
good chance of passing.
I know that because I
don't like guns,
that doesn't mean
that those that do
don't have a right
to own them, but
don't have a right
to own them, but
I do think that rules and laws
need to be added to the books
that will make people like me,
and all law abiding gun owners
that will make people like me,
and all law abiding gun owners
and their families, safer.
We all watch
numerous news reports and
it is hard at times
to not see this as a political issue,
when the facts are
that it is a human crisis
that needs to be addressed quickly.
There are all kinds of
reasons and justifications made
as to why
these horrendous acts are being committed
but the ugly facts remain
they are becoming commonplace
in our society and
the question is
how much longer
can we survive them?
We all watch
numerous news reports and
it is hard at times
to not see this as a political issue,
when the facts are
that it is a human crisis
that needs to be addressed quickly.
There are all kinds of
reasons and justifications made
as to why
these horrendous acts are being committed
but the ugly facts remain
they are becoming commonplace
in our society and
the question is
how much longer
can we survive them?
Today,
I have worked on a
pretty flower arrangement and
as the President of the United States
got off of AirForce One,
got off of AirForce One,
coming back to the White House
from one of his golf clubs,
from one of his golf clubs,
he stated that there is no place
for hate in our world, and
they are working on big things
to help this problem and
it could have been so much worse.
I don't think it could be
too much worse for
the families involved...
Thank you,
Mr. President, for your
thoughts and prayers.
Life goes on
and so I will make more
flower arrangements.
I don't think it could be
too much worse for
the families involved...
Thank you,
Mr. President, for your
thoughts and prayers.
Life goes on
and so I will make more
flower arrangements.
...Judy...
Disclaimer: I have stated that this is just my opinion. I expect that there are some who will agree and some who will disagree. We live in America and we are told that our opinions matter.
Sharing today with:
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Well said.
ReplyDeleteI went to my local Target store this morning, it was like the Walmart store in El Paso filled to the brim with families getting back to school things. I looked around and realized that my local Target located in the very racially diverse and peaceful San Gabriel Valley didn't seem safe anymore. It was a very sad and disturbing feeling. What has happened to my most beloved country.
Judy, I think your opinion is one that many of us share lately. My kids wanted to go to the mall this afternoon and I quivered and hesitated before I said yes. And in my own small town, I found myself looking over my shoulder at the local TJ Maxx this weekend. That's not normal...and so very, very sad...
ReplyDeleteYour comments are compassionate and shared by many. It does so much harm to ignore these senseless mass shootings. We must not allow this hate and racism to become normal. Like you, I just can't read about decorating and cooking when parents are making funeral arrangements.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your visit, Eileen. The time has come for action and for the understanding that gun owners, if laws are passed, will not lose their rights to bear arms, but no one needs an assault rifle for any reason. The Second Amendment still serves its purpose, but times are very different now so the laws need to reflect that..Happy Thursday..Judy
DeleteAssault weapons have no place in this country. Canada and other countries do not have these mass shootings because their gun laws are much stricter. I was a hunter, my father was a hunter...but there is no need for these guns and clips to be sold. When will our Congress and Representatives wake up and quit fighting amongst themselves and stop this madness. Great post and great flowers! Janice
ReplyDeleteMy heart is heavy with sadness for our fellow brothers and sisters that have gone through such terrifying and devastating tragedy.
ReplyDelete~K.
I read one article that blamed the killings on video games. Yet people in other countries have video games and they do not have mass shootings like we have in the US.
ReplyDeleteThis has to stop!
Many feel the same as you Judy. I just don't understand this senseless killings. For the life of me, why are as assault weapons available? Someone needs to wake up and change some laws. Our hearts are heavy with sadness and we are all afraid to venture out to malls or events. ..On the news today a motorcycle backfired in NY and people panicked thinking it was gun shots. Well written post. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJudy,
ReplyDeleteI never grew up around guns. When my Dad came home alive after World War II, he and all of his brothers who all served, said that they never wanted to see another gun again!! None of my family members hunted either. The thought of someone carrying a gun whether it is legal or not terrifies me. Even if it is in the purse of my neighbor who is trained on using it and carries it for protection. I understand it is a right for them to do so but it still terrifies me. I do not see why any private person should ever own an assault rifle other than military and the police.They should be outlawed for private individuals. And you are right....other countries have people with mental health issues and people who watch video games but they also have stiffer gun laws and they do not have mass shootings like we do here.I believe the time for thoughts and prayers has passed and the time for action is needed and I believe that can be done in the net election.Great post, Judy! And thanks so much for stopping by!!
Hugs
Debbie
Hi Judy,
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad in our lives that we have to worry about pulling into the parking lot of the Target or Walmart or grocery store and have a thought process is this going to be where someone might open up and fire upon innocent people including myself. It is horrendous that we even have to have that thought process. I think Mental illness treatments and attention has been lacking for a long time in our country but I think more it is the guns that are being produced. Does someone that needs to just want a gun to protect themself or their family and home need an assault weapon that can shoot off 700 round of bullets in less than a minute. Really?!!!!! do we need those kind of weapons in our world if all of us want peace! I worry about what kind of world my two small grand girls will grow up in and what kind of safety and life they will have as adults. I hope we can find answers that will work and bring peace and freedom back to our country. This country was founded on people having freedom but something needs to be done so this violence stops and we can all live free of fear and violence. Glad you spoke up today on your blog. It is hard to turn the news on each day.
Hugs,
Kris
Dear Judy. We only have to look at history---to act now. It's sad to expect 'prayers and thoughts' to do anything. as a Grandmother of a mixed race child---my heart aches, as a human being my heart aches, as an American I shudder at the ramifications of what our country has become.
ReplyDeleteTwo quotes rattle around in my head everyday that we deal with this madness.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men(women) to do nothing."
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent",
"The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse."
All are attributed to Edmund Burke, and Anglo-Irish statesmen, member of Parliament in the House of commons in the 18th century.
Democracy is a responsibility, and we are all from families of immigrants. We must be active in our beliefs and VOTE. Thoughts and prayers after the fact, may make you feel good, but nothing is accomplished and nothing will ever change.
And clearly the intent of our forefathers for the (militia--army, etc.) to have these rights. The Second Amendment to our Constitution: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Guns/rifles in 1783 shot one shot max per minute. They were hand loaded and even the most expert marksman couldn't reload faster than 50 seconds---then aim and fire. They were deadly only at short range. Pistols had two shots, max and again were difficulty when hand loaded. Accuracy varied but these were for close combat. Thirty paces --was hit or miss(under 100 feet). Pitchers mound to home plate---is about 60 feet.
It truly is absurd that we have laws based on these type of guns, 230 years later. Last, my husband and I both come from families of hunters ---we own hunting guns---we have never belonged to the NRA. Our current laws need to updated, enforced, and then upheld for the 370 million people in America, not the 5 million that belong and fund political leaders through the NRA. Thanks, Sandi
Judy, I just erased all I had typed. I pray for all. Bless you, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteWow. I wish I had your eloquence. This is so spot on. Thoughts and prayers, as well intentioned as they are, will not solve the problem. It could be any one of us at a garlic festival or a WalMart or a concert the next time. Any one of us. There is no place for assault weapons in our daily lives. There is no place for so much of what is happening now. Something must be done and fast. Letters to Congress, certainly. Voting -- without a doubt. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteI think your opinion is one that many of us share.
ReplyDeleteThoughts and prayers to all who have been affected by these terrible events.
All the best Jan
Just sad and horrible.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad world we live in. I think it will continue to get worst. I hope I'm wrong.
ReplyDeleteThey are now selling bullet proof back packs for kids to carry to school. Just Crazy!
Lisa