Rich Donovan (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} sttheresaym) wrote,@ 2005-02-07 23:52:00 |
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The past 24 hours
It has been an intersting last 24 hours.
As many of you know by now there was a terrible , horrific murder of a teen in Roselle Park early Sunday morning. Nicole had graduated in June from St T's School, been a part of our Jr High Program, and an occasional visitor on a Sunday night to the High School Group.
It is amazing to me how fast and quickly things can change. I saw first hand last night how delicate life can truly be. One minute kids are sitting around singing Beatles songs during the half time show... while a bunch of us were playing football, and then then next minute .. shock, disbelief, and anger over took St Theresa's.
So many stories, so many rumors poured in to us at St t's last night. However, there was but one fact.. Nicole was no longer with us.... And kids wanted answers! "One of their own" had been taken. It didnt matter if they were best friends, or just knew of her. Someone who was supposed to be alive was no longer, and it wasnt right.
Death is one of the hardest things to try and put a "reason" on. No one knows why people die, or are killed. In our faith we look at death as a "passing" from this life to eternal life with our Father. But its not supposed to happen this way. No one should have to ever face it that way.
Kids were walking around last night almost like zombies. One came out to me and said at one point "makes you realize .. that there are more things important than a game."
As I passed along to so many of the different kids and people today that I talked to; I leave you with this.... now is the time to grieve. It is a natural process. It will be different for everyeone. But its a necessity. After that comes the realization that Nicole will not be walking throught the doors of St Theresa's again, or Roselle Catholic, or anywhere for that matter. It is not right, but it is what is.
How will we remember Nicole? How will try to make sure this never happens again to someon else .. how can kids have a "voice" .. one that will listen and make sure they are actually heard and action will be taken?
That is my challenge I have left person after person today. I leave that up to all. I will do and assist in anyway or thing I can. But we must never forget.
Nicole is gone... but never forgotten.
It has been an intersting last 24 hours.
As many of you know by now there was a terrible , horrific murder of a teen in Roselle Park early Sunday morning. Nicole had graduated in June from St T's School, been a part of our Jr High Program, and an occasional visitor on a Sunday night to the High School Group.
It is amazing to me how fast and quickly things can change. I saw first hand last night how delicate life can truly be. One minute kids are sitting around singing Beatles songs during the half time show... while a bunch of us were playing football, and then then next minute .. shock, disbelief, and anger over took St Theresa's.
So many stories, so many rumors poured in to us at St t's last night. However, there was but one fact.. Nicole was no longer with us.... And kids wanted answers! "One of their own" had been taken. It didnt matter if they were best friends, or just knew of her. Someone who was supposed to be alive was no longer, and it wasnt right.
Death is one of the hardest things to try and put a "reason" on. No one knows why people die, or are killed. In our faith we look at death as a "passing" from this life to eternal life with our Father. But its not supposed to happen this way. No one should have to ever face it that way.
Kids were walking around last night almost like zombies. One came out to me and said at one point "makes you realize .. that there are more things important than a game."
As I passed along to so many of the different kids and people today that I talked to; I leave you with this.... now is the time to grieve. It is a natural process. It will be different for everyeone. But its a necessity. After that comes the realization that Nicole will not be walking throught the doors of St Theresa's again, or Roselle Catholic, or anywhere for that matter. It is not right, but it is what is.
How will we remember Nicole? How will try to make sure this never happens again to someon else .. how can kids have a "voice" .. one that will listen and make sure they are actually heard and action will be taken?
That is my challenge I have left person after person today. I leave that up to all. I will do and assist in anyway or thing I can. But we must never forget.
Nicole is gone... but never forgotten.
