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Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Where Do I Begin?

My heart is so extremely heavy today; I've felt an overwhelming need to write out my feelings and to share my sadness. I can sum up my distress in one single word and most of you will understand.

Orlando.

Y'all - this fallen world we live in is so cruel. That old adage "tragedy occurs in three" is slapping us all in the face this week. 


The politics surrounding the massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando  is quite frankly disgusting. We all have the right to our own views regarding equality, gun rights, or any other issue but at the end of the day, we lost people

People like you and me. People with families, and careers, and dreams. Things like the Orlando shooting shouldn't happen...but they keep happening. In a world so full of hate, all I can think is that we should just love one another. I know that is somewhat idealistic but honestly I don't care. 

I could spend hours ranting about gun laws, gun safety, terrorism, immigration, mental health...none of that will change what has already happened. So instead, I'm praying for Orlando. I'm praying for the victims and their families. I'm praying for the LGBT community. I'm praying for the shooter. I'm praying for peace and comfort. 


A horrific nightmare has been unfolding over the last 24 hours at Walt Disney World. A two year old child was dragged into the Seven Seas Lagoon by an alligator on Walt Disney World Resort property Tuesday night. The media is reporting that the family was on the beach area of the Grand Floridian waiting for either the nightly fireworks show or outdoor movie, both official Disney activities. The child was "wading" in the water with his parents nearby when an alligator grabbed him and pulled him into the water. 

The news of this attack is gut wrenching. My first thought is to this sweet baby and his parents. I can't even imagine the terror and torment of this happening to one of my children. I have been saddened to see attacks on the parents in the comment sections of most news articles or social media posts I've read.

I've never been to Disney World or even to Florida but being from a coastal state I know about the dangers of gators and I know that they are prevalent in Florida. However, I never once thought about the fact that there would be alligators at Disney World. I had no idea that Disney World was built on swamp land or that the man made lakes and lagoons are connected to natural water ways. I honestly assumed that dangers like that didn't exist at Disney. Ridiculous in hindsight, but it's the truth. I've also learned that while there are a lot of "no swimming" signs in the waters at Disney, there aren't so many "look out for wildlife" type signs. I have heard from 100s of Walt Disney World patrons (in Disney vacation planning groups that I'm in) that have said that they have done the exact same thing this family was doing when the attack happened. They too have let their children or grandchildren put their feet in the water or wade in just a bit. They honestly had no idea of the risk. It may seem like common sense to Floridians but for people visiting from other areas of the country or other countries entirely - they may not have a clue. 

 It is my understanding that attacks like this are very rare; I pray that moving forward there will be changes made at Disney to protect patrons and that visitors will be more aware of their surroundings. 

#prayforOrlando
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