praying for Paris

Praying for Paris

Paris is truly a magical city.  It has romanced people for many years and draws wanderers in from all over the world with it’s sparkling streets, delicious cuisine, magnificent architecture, and overall uniqueness… I always dreamed about visiting Paris and was ecstatic when my dream came true!! Not only was I going to Paris for the first time, but I would be there with my amazing husband for our one year anniversary! I’m not sure it could get more romantic than that! It was an incredible trip full of adventure and romance! THEN to make things even more amazing we were able to go back the following year! I’m secretly hoping this becomes a tradition…

Anyways.. I just wanted to share how completely smitten I am with this magical city and also express my utmost concern for the recent events that have taken place. I am continuously praying for Paris during this tragic time of loss and confusion.

 Random acts of violence inflicted on people by other people simply baffles me. There is no explanation that justifies such cruel and inhumane actions.

People should not have their sense of security ripped away from them in such violent ways.

Being from Colorado, I am familiar with the shocking news of tragic events occurring in places you thought safe.

I recall sitting in my living room when I was 10 years old watching the news about a shooting at Columbine High School. As a child this was new for me… To hear about the awfulness of this event and not fully being able to process it. I remember the days following hearing the stories from families and realizing what a true tragedy this was. That was my first time I can fully recall realizing that the world wasn’t as safe as I thought it was.

In 8th grade I sat in my social studies class as the teachers began leaving the rooms and coming back in a much more flustered sense. The students were confused and sat waiting to hear what the commotion was all about… I was in 8th grade on September 11, 2001.

I remember waking up on July 20, 2012 to more text messages and missed calls than I normally would have. I ignored them at first as I was getting ready to shoot a wedding.. When I looked at my phone and saw that my family and friends were asking what I was doing and where I was I became a bit confused as this was not normal. However, when I turned on the news it became clear. A man walked into a movie theater that was 10 minutes from my apartment and opened fire… This was a tragic day in my city. A movie theater… where your guard is down and you are completely relaxed… that should not be taken away from anyone.

There is tragedy everywhere and loss in every country of the world. These are three days that I will always remember that effected me personally.

In this moment, however, I am praying for Paris and the people of this amazing city as they cope from the recent tragedies that have occurred.

No matter where we call home… we are all people.. we all cry and feel pain as well as laugh and are consumed with joy. Life is a strange thing full of ups and downs and it’s in these moments where people need to come together and support one another.

Paris is truly magical and no city should be scarred in such ways.