Jami Hurts for the Families

I had another post started when the news came down about a shooting here in Pittsburgh, actually not far from where I live. Not walking distance or anything, but close enough that the helicopters overhead alerted me that something was wrong. If you haven't heard, the article is here - a man walked into an aerobics dance class at a gym, turned out the lights and started shooting. They *think* he killed himself as well. Last I've heard so far is 5 confirmed dead. Rumors are that the teacher of the class was pregnant and shot, but no word on her condition. I'm heartsick. These are the times we remember how capricious and precious life is. Who would think that attending a class at a gym is a dangerous place to be? Why this class and not another, why this gym? We probably won't know and the truth is it doesn't really matter. It is, it was, and knowing won't change it, won't prevent another, won't save your life or mine. I also hope, as wrong as it may sound to those who are of a different mindset, that the guy did kill himself. Actually, I wish he'd done so earlier, before taking innocent lives with him, but I hope he is dead, because what he took from others, he doesn't deserve to have. Time to say goodbye, a second chance at things, hope. You might think I lack compassion, but my compassion is not for the one who destroys lives, but for those who lives are forever damaged. For the childless mother, the widowed lover, the friend who won't be coming for tea tomorrow. I don't want to know his name and I hope I don't learn it. I never learned the names of the killers at columbine because that's what they wanted and I won't give them even that. I hope we don't his crying family on TV - yes, they hurt, too and I'm sorry for them, but he doesn't deserve it. I can't stand when those NOT involved, injured or mourning start with the "We Forgive You" signs and crap. You can't forgive what wasn't done to you. Save your compassion for those he broke, not for him. And for those families, I'm so, so sorry. Your hearts are breaking in a way I cannot and hope to never understand. I pray for healing for the injured and comfort for those who have lost someone. And I pray that the next scum-licking loser who thinks this is his ticket to immortality will simply remove himself from this earth and not people who choose to still live, even when it's hard.