Yesterday, February 14th, was Valentine’s Day for most, and sadly a day of grieving and heartbreak for some. Yesterday, 17 beautiful hearts, stopped beating. A senseless act robbed a number of children of both their lives and promising futures.

Yesterday a handful of families and friends didn’t get to love on their Valentines. Yesterday the excitement of buying bouquets of flowers was replaced with the sadness of purchasing arrangements for final resting places. My heart is shattered knowing that a possible future president, doctor, activist or world changer, was lost in the monstrous devastation that is now being labeled “Parkland Mass Shooting.” My heart aches for an entire student body, a collection of families, the state of Florida and our Nation entirely. Watching footage and hearing recounts of the act of senseless terror, shook me to the core even from 1,000 miles away. My heart is reminded of Sandy Hook, Columbine and Virginia Tech. I won’t dare make mention of the perpetrator as he is unworthy of any airtime in writing or film, he has been given. I want to turn the attention to the courageous fallen heroes who ran to the front lines and each of the innocent victims who were taken far too soon.

Regardless of your political affiliation or your stance on policies, I think we as human beings mourn this tragedy in tandem. I cannot begin to praise or commend the life of Aaron Feis enough, a football coach and a security guard who so selflessly and lovingly shielded children from gunfire. The word hero doesn’t even do this man justice, and I do hope his name finds its way across history books within the next few years. He did a great thing, and he made the ultimate sacrifice. His life is an example of someone who loved so deeply that his only reaction during a time of danger was to save others first.

In times of tragedy such as this, I am reminded of a quote from one of my role models Mother Teresa “In life we cannot always do great things, we can only do small things with great love.” In the spirit of love and light, may we all be encouraged to hug our loved ones a little tighter, show our neighbors a little more mercy and give unconditionally—selflessly the way people like Aaron Feis have. My prayers are with Florida and the victims, families and survivors of this calamity. May God’s grace flood the hearts of all affected.