Whenever there is tragedy, my heart aches. No matter who it involves, or where it is in the world, I feel saddened over it. I’m an emotional person, and the last two weeks have been very sad.

Orlando. I visited Orlando back in March. I went to Disney World for the first time in my life. Even at 20 years old, it was such a magical experience. When we weren’t at Disney, we were either at Universal Studios — another very great place to experience — or the ocean, which I would consider one of my favorite places in the entire world.

June 11. Christina Grimmie was shot and killed at her own concert in Orlando by who the news stories are saying was a deranged fan. Grimmie became popular after being on the TV show, “The Voice.” It seems, though, that many people knew about her before that from watching her YouTube videos. I can tell just by hearing people talk about her that her music and her lifestyle made an impact on her fans.

June 12. The deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history occurs at a gay nightclub in Orlando. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the whole thing and try to figure it out. There’s one thing I do know, though. Regardless of race, gender, sexuality or anything else, those people in the nightclub were human beings. Each and every one of them had family, had friends and had a life in front of them. None of them deserved to die or become injured. I hope that the families find comfort, and I hope that something changes in this country regarding violence and hatred.

June 14. Lane Graves, a 2-year-old, is snatched from a shoreline of a resort at Disney and killed by an alligator. The thing I’m tired of hearing about with this, is that the parents were irresponsible. Please, please, please stop attacking the parents. They just lost their child. I can’t imagine losing a child, especially so young and so tragically.

I really hope that the tragic events can cease for a while, in the world and especially in Orlando. But, during these tough times, please remember we need to come together and love, instead of divide and hate.

 

Erin Murtaugh is a a nursing student at Rasmussen College in Mankato. She can be reached at murtaugh.erin@gmail.com.