Immense Sadness in a Season of Hope
December 8, 2007, 9:46 am
Posted by Robert P. Imbelli
The Italian daily, La Repubblica, has put on its website photos of the young Omaha killer, taken by the store’s surveillance cameras, as well as facsimiles of the notes he left behind. Scroll to “Nebraska: La fotosequenza.” One can only pray for all caught up in this terrible tragedy that transformed an ordinary day into sheer horror.
We need to remember that Jesus Christ showed up to help the boy who shot those people in the mall. It’s a tragedy not just for those who lost their lives, but for that boy who lost his humanity.
I live right on the main road to our elementary school, and I usually sit on my porch in nice weather. I can’t tell you how many boys stop at my house because they want a snack or need a ride somewhere or their parent didn’t show pick them up as promised or because they don’t have mittens and want to warm up or they just want to tell somebody about their crappy day or want help with their homework.
The ones I really worry about are those who don’t stop in anymore. I have found that a discreet chat with the school secretary (honestly, there’s an underappreciated bunch of people), sometimes at least gets that kid a visit from the school counselor.
If you know of a kid who seems to be troubled, PLEASE talk to someone about it, and don’t feel like a narc. Early intervention can help prevent these types of problems.
What a beautiful post. Thanks, Jean.