Ah, it’s a hard world, isn’t it?

Last updated on: August 27, 2015 at 10:57 am by Nancy Qualls-Shehata

Ah, it’s a hard world, isn’t it? 2015-08-27T10:57:10-04:00 Nancy Qualls-Shehata

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

As Salaamu Alaikum and hello all. It is Thursday morning. Yesterday was a tough day for anyone living in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I mean, it’s weird, how we make seemingly distant events familiar. I’m all the way on the other side of the state from where this heinous shooting took place, but because it happened in my state, and one of the victims went to Virginia Tech and I have a friend who is an alumnus, well, it felt like it was happening right on my doorstep.

Two people murdered in the most callous way possible, another seriously injured. The gunman fled, then dead. A rambling manifesto giving an unwanted glimpse into a disturbed mind. Shocked coworkers. Devastated loved ones. A memorial gathering. Candles and flowers. Tears and anger.

The worst thing about this is not that it happened on live TV. It’s not that the killer himself filmed the shooting and uploaded to social media. It’s not that these people were beloved members of their profession and community. The worst thing about it is that it happened again. It happened again. A disturbed person bought a gun and killed people for no rational reason. And I could have written that sentence last week, or the week before, or the week before that.

I don’t know what to do. I don’t know the answer. I don’t know what club to apply to or what online support group to join. What article to write. What comfort to give.

I can only keep doing what I am doing. Pray, asking Allah to protect my kids. Try to raise them to be good Muslims and good citizens. Share information about mental illness so we can erase the stigma associated with it. Love my neighbor. Smile. Stop and smell the roses. Share cute kitten pictures on Facebook. Live. Pray for a hiatus in the violence. Delete the news app on my phone.

Wait for the next time.

Current Events

live tv shooting

Previous Post

August 18, 2015

My Bid to Take Over All Social Media - Periscope

Next Post

August 28, 2015 A Couple of Periscope Broadcasts (Videos)

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Criminal Justic Current Events Islam prom Satire Uncategorized

Select a Month April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 May 2014 December 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 August 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I am a donkey that spoke to rebuke my master, a prophet. What am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A prophet's beast A miracle donkey A talking animal Balaam's donkey