I could not move. My eyes were instantly glued to the television screen, it read: "Hundreds of Lives Killed in Paris." I continued watching the news, the numbers of deaths continued as well. Was this reality? I had to pinch myself a few times to realize that yes, this is reality and not a nightmare. My heart broke for all the beautiful, innocent souls in Paris, France who's lives were taken that Friday evening. My social media feeds instantly lit up with posts on this current event. The posts all focusing on the same incident but with different emotions from sad to angry. Some posts were raging with so much anger that you can almost feel the "heat “ from your screen. Other posts were so heartbreaking and sad that you could not help but start tearing. Your tears begin to hit your iPhone screen. I was overtaken from the world’s emotions. From there, I began to search images. I saw a woman being carried out, her clothing covered in blood. The next image was of a French police officer with a fear in his eyes so large. I began to create a story in my head for him. What must his wife at home feel? What must she be telling their children? She must have the same look of fear in her eyes; she just sent her husband out to fight terrorists. I put my phone down and turned off the television. I continued to sit there on my couch, in silence. I bowed my head and prayed. I prayed for those innocent lives that were taken in such a violent way. I prayed for their families, friends and loved ones. I prayed for the French police and French security forces on the ground, not knowing who or what they would be faced with tonight. I prayed for the French hospitals: the nurses, doctors, surgeons, and staff. I could only imagine the stress and heartbreak they must of felt as many patients were placed into their arms. The pressure they must of felt to not add more numbers to the already large death toll; to save more lives.

I sat up and wiped my eyes before I said one last prayer…I prayed for America. I prayed for the government, our police/security forces, and for the President, Barack Obama. I prayed that through this incident we swallow our fears and be there for our brothers and sisters in Paris, France. That we, America, the land of the brave, wrap our arms around France and protect them and our own people in any way we can. America has always been a country based on the principles of God, bravery, and unity. It was time that we remember what kind of a country we are. A few years ago, we as a country, faced a mighty act of terror as well, the crashing into the Twin Towers in New York City. When that occurred a French newspaper read “Today, we are all American”. In honor of our Paris, France today, we are all French.