Every day is a unique gift in which we can never take anything or anyone for granted. That is how I can best sum up my feelings after the horrific events that have taken place these past few weeks. When tragedy strikes once, it is difficult to find the right words to express how you’re feeling. When tragedy strikes twice, the world is left speechless.

Not even two days later after the shocking death of beloved singer Christina Grimmie, 22, who had been shot and killed at a concert, I, along with the rest of the world, woke up once more to breaking news, again in Orlando. The deadliest mass shooting in United States history had taken place at the Pulse Nightclub with 49 people killed and over 50 injured.

My head was instantly spinning. How could two such horrendous events take place so close within each other in a city that is known for bringing so much happiness and joy to people's lives? And I was left to question why. Why were these beautiful people that made up of all different walks of life, brutally murdered? Why was this man able to commit this atrocity? Why were these awful things happening?

When major traumatic events happen like this, it can be easy to revert to anger, and sadness. We mourn those who left us too soon and we become enraged that horrendous acts like these are able to take place and at the people who commit them. It can be difficult to find ways to process our emotions, but sometimes, there are people that find just the right words.

That night, as planned, the old theatre adage, “the show must go on,A” held true, and the 70th annual Tony awards still took place. For those who don't know, the Tonys are an award night to recognize exceptional individuals and casts for their work in theatre. Never in my life have I been more touched by a display of love, compassion and acceptance of others on a televised event than the 2016 Tonys. It started with a heartfelt direct address recited by the host, James Corden. Hearing it filled my heart with a swell of emotion and I immediately knew that even in the darkest of times when there is so much hate, an abundance of love can still be found and that is why our country cannot be broken. “Hate will never win."

There were several beautiful and eloquent speeches made by several winners that night, but two stuck with me personally, one being that of Frank Langella. After winning Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play, Langella took the stage and delivered a speech that perfectly summed up how so many were feeling that night.

“When something bad happens, we have three choices: We let it define us, we let it destroy us, we let it strengthen us. Today in Orlando, we had a hideous dose of reality. I urge you, Orlando, to be strong, because I'm standing in a room with the most generous human beings on earth and we will be with you every step of the way."

The second speech that I will never forget was that of Lin Manuel Miranda after winning Best Original Score. Miranda recited an immensely heart-felt sonnet that started as a tribute to his wife and then transitioned to being a tribute to those in Orlando.

I will never understand how some people are capable of committing such atrocities in this world, but what I do understand, and was reminded of by watching the Tonys Sunday night, is that in the wake of tragic events, our nation always comes together. “Love is love is love is love is love is love is love.”