July 23, 2015.
If you have any connection to Lafayette, Louisiana, that date is one you will never forget. You remember where you were that night, who you talked to, who told you the news, what thoughts flooded your mind, what horrible fears filled your mind. You will always remember the faces of the two women who lost their lives. You will never forget.
One year later, I still see "Lafayette Strong" signs in the yards of the residents and local businesses. I still hear people talk about what happened. People still fear visiting the place where it happened. There are so many ways a local shooting changes you, but what is often forgotten is how this tragic event strengthened us. We often forget about the things that we have learned and the things we learn to be grateful for.
Mayci Breaux and Jillian Johnson may have tragically lost their lives one year ago, but I truly believe that they would want their community to stay strong through the pain. They both lived their lives to the fullest, always greeting life and others with a smile on their faces. The thing we most often forget is that they are okay and we are the ones who are hurting. We are the ones left broken, empty, hopeless.
Although it was a horrible experience, this experience taught me so many things about my community, strength, honor and love.
The tragedy we all endured on July 23, 2015 taught me:
That hope can rise from any situation.
People who would have never crossed paths, did. Through vigils and memorials for the lives lost, Lafayette found a way to come together and be there for each other in a difficult time. There is a stronger sense of community. People go out of their way for strangers simply because we all call Lafayette home.
To hold my loved ones a little tighter.
Always say, "I love you," and give extra hugs and kisses. Be kind to those you love and to those you encounter in public. A smile goes a long way.
Taught me that God heals all wounds.
No heartbreak is too big for God. In fact, God gave His only son so that we might have eternal life. I think that when a parent has to bury a child, God weeps with them. The pain will never go away, but God finds a way to heal the wound in a way one never thought possible.
That together, we can do anything.
After the shooting, hundreds and thousands of dollars were raised in a matter of days to support the families of the victims. The community came together in a time when it could have been so easy to isolate each other. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of a community so rooted in love for each other, their city, and for life in general.
That life is precious.
There is a reason why we fight so hard to prolong, defend and cherish life. Life is precious and worthy of living. In this tragedy, there were two women who bravely pulled the fire alarm and saved hundreds in the theater, risking their lives for strangers. There is a reason why; life is meant to be lived greatly.
Reminded me to live life without fear or regret.
We never know when our last day will be. Don't live your life with fear or regret. Love boldly, laugh loudly and take chances. Smile and share the love of Christ with others.
In loving memory of Mayci Breaux and Jillian Johnson.
