columbine
since i've mentioned columbine, i'll use this time to share how i started in youth ministry.
i, like most of the people in colorado, was glued to the tv set as the tragedy of columbine unfolded. not just that afternoon and evening, but for the entire aftermath as well. i also read just about everything i could about that fateful time, including books that were written by survivors and family members.
there was a saying at the time and then bumper stickers made up stating "we are columbine." those words rang true for so many of us. we all felt like it was our kid's school and our kids who were affected by it all. we all were affected deeply.
it was interesting to watch and hear people talk about the two boys who were responsible for it all. they were demonized. their families were looked upon as the scum of the earth. maybe it was easier for me since my kids, or anyone i knew personally, weren't involved in the massacre, but i didn't see these two boys or their families the same way they were being portrayed.
i felt that for them to do such a horrific thing, they must have been deeply troubled. and why be so hard on their families? as more was revealed about why they did it, what was behind their torment, i felt more drawn to who they really were and why they felt like they had to take such drastic action. i felt so sorry for their parents who had to continue living with the reality and guilt of their son's actions. can you imagine?
i remember talking to some people, at the time, about all of this and they were of mind that there was no hope for these boys. that they were somehow defective. that there are others out there with the same defect and that we should just put them all away... somehow... somewhere. i couldn't believe that people felt this way. did they have no compassion at all?
this was the start, for me, in realizing that my heart went out to young people. the more i read, the more i had contact with teens, the more i heard their stories (normal stories, mind you), the more my heart broke for them. and the more i wanted to help them in some way... in some tangible way. it evolved much more from there but i honestly think that's when it all started.
let me say, in closing, that in no way do i think that what harris and klebold did was right or even that we can rationalize it. it was horrible. as much as my mind tries to understand why they would do such a thing, my heart breaks for all of those young lives that were taken (as well as the teacher) and their families who have to go on without their loved ones.
i'm just saying it was a tragic day for all those involved. and it was a begining for me.
i, like most of the people in colorado, was glued to the tv set as the tragedy of columbine unfolded. not just that afternoon and evening, but for the entire aftermath as well. i also read just about everything i could about that fateful time, including books that were written by survivors and family members.
there was a saying at the time and then bumper stickers made up stating "we are columbine." those words rang true for so many of us. we all felt like it was our kid's school and our kids who were affected by it all. we all were affected deeply.
it was interesting to watch and hear people talk about the two boys who were responsible for it all. they were demonized. their families were looked upon as the scum of the earth. maybe it was easier for me since my kids, or anyone i knew personally, weren't involved in the massacre, but i didn't see these two boys or their families the same way they were being portrayed.
i felt that for them to do such a horrific thing, they must have been deeply troubled. and why be so hard on their families? as more was revealed about why they did it, what was behind their torment, i felt more drawn to who they really were and why they felt like they had to take such drastic action. i felt so sorry for their parents who had to continue living with the reality and guilt of their son's actions. can you imagine?
i remember talking to some people, at the time, about all of this and they were of mind that there was no hope for these boys. that they were somehow defective. that there are others out there with the same defect and that we should just put them all away... somehow... somewhere. i couldn't believe that people felt this way. did they have no compassion at all?
this was the start, for me, in realizing that my heart went out to young people. the more i read, the more i had contact with teens, the more i heard their stories (normal stories, mind you), the more my heart broke for them. and the more i wanted to help them in some way... in some tangible way. it evolved much more from there but i honestly think that's when it all started.
let me say, in closing, that in no way do i think that what harris and klebold did was right or even that we can rationalize it. it was horrible. as much as my mind tries to understand why they would do such a thing, my heart breaks for all of those young lives that were taken (as well as the teacher) and their families who have to go on without their loved ones.
i'm just saying it was a tragic day for all those involved. and it was a begining for me.
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