I know there’s gonna be some brighter days. I swear that love will find you in your pain. I know there’s gonna be some brighter days – by Blessing Offor, Nigerian-American singer, songwriter, contemporary gospel singer.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, pure, lovely, admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. – Philippians 4:8 NIV
It was a home day; Sam had gone fishing leaving early in the morning. I slipped away to do my YMCA pool workout then back home. That’s what I call a home day where you spend all or most of the day at home for chores. Chores like laundry, cleaning, meal prep, sitting on the front porch watching Wilhelmina, putting out the birdfeeders, the suet, and opening the greenhouse door to air the tomato plants. After chores I had time to check my phone for texts, emails, Facebook, Instagram, and popups. A popup showed a picture of Charlie Kirk giving a talk. Before that moment I had only seen a picture of him on Fox News. I watch very little news except for The Five and their random, often humorous conversations. My phone bleeped again with an announcement Charlie Kirk had been assassinated. I didn’t know who he was, but it didn’t matter. The news was horrific.
Wilhelmina and I sat on the porch trying to process what I had seen on my phone. Later Sam returned from a good day of fishing. I listened quietly while he talked about the day and his catch. Then I handed him my phone. We both were stunned though neither of us knew very much about Charlie Kirk. What we did know from the post is that he had a wife, a one-year-old boy and a three-year-old little girl. Heartbreak. The day became somber.
In 1981 I was living in Montreal, Canada. I had walked down to the corner quick stop for a Coke and nabs. Up in the corner on the wall was a television. I stopped and looked when I realized what was being broadcast. President Reagan had been shot. My first thought was “Americans don’t do that.” But they do. I remembered walking home from the third grade at eight years old when President Kennedy was assassinated. Some of the kids were shouting with delight. Even then I knew that was not right. Americans don’t do that.
Max Ehrman in 1927 wrote “As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story, be cheerful. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself: you have a right to be here.”
Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 45 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
