I Can Only Hope...

Just yesterday I was writing about a Christmas musical I'm working on in Salt Lake City....about the fact that one of the songs is Seasons of Love, from RENT - and how the world always needs more love.

...

Today one of my best friends told me that she's finally pregnant with a little girl.

And then, during lunch, one of my new friends said Paris is burning. It's in chaos. There are explosions. There are hostage situations.

.......and here I am, once again at my computer.

On one hand, I feel like words cannot reach moments of such terror and tragedy.

And yet, on the other hand, I feel like it's the words that we share now are the most important ones of all, for they will be the beacons of light that pierce through such darkness. 

I can't wrap my head or my heart around what happened in Paris today, November 13th. I just can't.

Today was horrible. It was deplorable. It was awful.

The terror and violence that occured today was, and will always be, inexcusable.

I'm an ocean away, and yet, my insides hurt for the people of Paris, and the entire of country France.

I'm an ocean away, and yet, my insides hurt for all of us.

For we have to do better.

We must do better.

Today one of my dearest friends told me she was finally pregnant with her little girl. And all I can think about is that child.

Is this the world that we're bringing our children into?

It can't be. It just can't.

We have to do better.

We must do better.

Freedom, joy, and choice were under attack on November 13th. But I can only hope that we, as a collective, will not give such monsters that victory.

I can only hope that we condemn such violence. Over and over and over again. Never should excuses be made for such acts.

I can only hope that we start to talk to one another more. To listen to one another more. To support one another more.

I can only hope that we begin to learn about the things that we do not understand, and respect the differences between us. Differences will always exist - but it is how we treat those differences that count.

I can only hope that love will triumph over hate, that good will prevail over evil, that after such darkness one will face the brightest of light.

I can only hope...

Now, an ocean away, I pray for Paris. I pray for peace. I pray for love and compassion to sweep The City of Lights on it's darkest day. 

And I hope...

I hope that one day we are able to sympathize with whatever tragedy falls upon our fellow brothers and sisters. Cause the comparison of horror is just...sad. Pointing fingers and presenting personal and political agendas when people are grieving is not progress. It's regression. We all cry the same salty tears. We all bleed the same blood. We all need some more love.