I celebrated love this weekend. I was honored to take part in the wedding of one of my most dearest friends. The smiles, laughter and, most of all, love demonstrated this past Saturday was something I will never forget.
On Sunday, I woke up to hate.
I vividly remember that first post on my newsfeed informing me of the tragedy that occurred as I was immersed in the celebration of love between two people the night before. I didn't fully understand the impact of what happened until a little later, but slowly, as the day progressed, my heart grew heavy and I had difficulty gathering my emotions.
It was on that same drive between Dayton and Indianapolis that I was trying to comprehend the attacks in Paris and now, Orlando. My heart heavy, mind in a daze and my spirit drained; I am still not quite sure what to say.
We are throwing away a gift that has been given so freely. We are throwing away the beauty, awe, wonder and life that has been bestowed upon us. How can we be so foolish? How can we treat each other so frivolously? When did ideology and a system of beliefs gain more weight than compassion and simple understanding?
My heart continues to be held down by the reactions so full of anger and hate in response to this violent act. Are we not discarding the gift we have been given by responding in kind? I can barely stand to read the comments on social media as I see a glimpse of the very emotions that lead to such unspeakable tragedies. I have seen this anger from those who are pushing their politics, from those who are grieving and from those who are part of the very community of people that were just targeted.
Yes, I am hurt. Yes, I am grieving. Yes, I have felt targeted because of my sexuality. Even so, I am not and will not be the only one. This past weekend, and in the past, our LGBT family has been discriminated against. So have others. And tomorrow? Tomorrow, as it has been in the past, it will be another group of unsuspecting and undeserving human beings that are sacrificed for hate.
Can we not join hands as human beings? Must we be selfish in this time of need? Can we not rise above those who have hurt us and say, "we will love anyway"?
"We are throwing away the sunset;
the crescent moon.
Ignoring the day's sunrise,
the gift of existence,
in a naturally beautiful world."