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Sitting here looking at the blinking of my cursor on what was a blank screen, I had not anticipated how completely blank my mind would go trying to pull out the words that would begin this post. I soon realized that the only way to start was to just admit how difficult it is to have this conversation.

What happens to one over the course of a lifetime, long or short, that pits them against the rest of the world? We don't have answers. If we had even a fraction of an answer we'd all take to the streets trying to end this ever lengthening history of mass violence. We cannot seem to fix this. Right now there is a broken child somewhere hurting so bad that they only want to make others feel the pain they are feeling. They have made or will make a plan of literal execution and we will hear the tale on breaking news in every outlet possible and another child will see the story and think it is also their way out.

Is there any way that we could turn attention to making sure that all children know the signs of a person in this kind of trouble? There is no way that this can be taught enough. Children need a solid game plan for reporting and we need to make sure we've built a foundation of confidence so that they know their reporting will be held confidential and will be followed up on.

What can we do for those hurting souls that commit this violence before they get to the point of violence? Could the multiple outlets that always report these terrible incidents after the fact share information for finding help as well as produce shows that tell the story of people who've gotten help? They could also find a way to let these young people know that being young and having little life experience can be painful but if they can hang in there things get better with time. We can never educate our youth enough with regard to this.

Talk to your children. Ask them how their life is going. Ask them if they are happy. Ask them if they need your help. Be honest with your children. Don't hold yourself up as a model of perfection so that you might teach them to be something that you are not. It will not work. It will only make them feel like they will never live up to what you expect of them. Let your children be who they are. Honor that in them. Don't judge or belittle the feelings of your children. These are their feelings, let them feel them.

Note to 2nd Amendment Enthusiast:
I don't care if you have a gun. I don't want anyone to show up at your door and take your gun away. What I want is for you admit that maybe you have let the politicians you put your confidence in use the love you have for your gun to sidetrack you from looking at real issues. You had 8 years of Bill Clinton and will have 8 years of Barack Obama and at the end of the day no one has taken your gun away or even suggested that it be done. If you think there has been talk of it then you have been misled.

"As people do better, they start voting like Republicans...unless they have too much education and vote Democratic, which proves there can be too much of a good thing."

-Karl Rove The New Yorker (February 19, 2001)

Think about a republican who would say that. He is essentially saying the Republican party relies on ignorance. They want you to be easy to mislead.

I will tell you this. I will admit that I allow myself to follow Democratic leaders based on the promise that they will be the party of equality. I have seen year after year that promises are made that are never kept and I still follow that hope. Political smokescreens are everywhere we look on all sides of the fence. I can admit I fall for it. Can't you say the same?

Are we suggesting that a person be allowed to walk into McDonald's with their semiautomatic weapon strapped to their back and order a Big Mac? Have you really thought about the effect of anyone being able to carry a weapon anywhere they want to go? You cannot assume that every gun owner is as responsible as you are. If everyone is walking around carrying a gun like the wild wild west how will we ever know when we should look out for danger?

If we make it a little harder for people to buy new guns, how terrible would it be if you had to wait just a tiny bit longer? You surely cannot say that a tiny wait is not worth a life. Please don't tell me that.

Note to any young person who needs an ear or a shoulder to lean on:
If you are feeling desperate I will be there for you. If you need holding up I will be your wall. If you need love I have love to give.

If you need help there are people there to help you. Your life may be bad at this moment but it can get better. Let someone with more experience show you the way. There is always a way out of your pain that is beneficial for all involved. You are not alone, if you can find the strength to ask for help. You can have the happy future you want. Please remember you always have a split second where you still have 2 options. You can turn away from harm and still have a wonderful life or you can make a decision that you will never be able to take back. If you cross that line where you can never go back, I feel most certain it will be an instance of immediate regret. Please let that second be the longest of your life. Let this second keep you on the side that does not end in violence because that next second after will mean you have left your world open for a bright shiny future where all possibility exists. Peace to you.