Vigil
Last night we watched a vigil on t.v. Nova Scotia Strong, to honour the victims of
the terrible mass shooting that took the lives of 22 people. The saddest part of the whole thing was the
inability for the community to come together and support each other because of
the pandemic Stay at Home order. Instead,
people came together virtually to offer comfort and support in word and song. There were many singers, known and unknown
who sang songs of hope and there were messages from pastors, town councillors
and political leaders. It was a
wonderful tribute and not one mention was made of the name of the shooter which
is as it should be.
The most poignant tribute, the one that made this cynic’s
eyes fill with tears, came from Natalie McMaster as she played her fiddle along
with the video of 17-year-old Emily Tuck who was the youngest victim. They played the waltz “In Memory of Henry
Macleod”. As I watched I couldn’t help
thinking about how that young girl had no idea she only had a day or two left to
live. She was playing her fiddle as part
of a COVID Kitchen party, thinking that was the worst thing she had to worry
about. Watching her innocence filled me
with a sadness that had no words.
It always amazes me how many people come together in times
like this. Because of my jaded or
cynical nature, I tend to roll my eyes at the sentiment. Adding the word “strong” to the name of the
province, lighting up city halls and the CN Tower in the colours of their flag,
signs saying “We are in this together”, make me want to say “oh please. This is not going to help.” And it’s true it won’t bring back those that
are lost. Most of the people that took
part in the vigil will go back to their regular lives, leaving the victims
families to grieve. But in this case,
where there was no opportunity for comfort and the hugging and holding so
necessary in times of great loss. The sentiment was perfect. I am sure the victim’s families were overwhelmed
by the outpouring of support and love.
A man, a monster, fuelled by an unholy rage, wanted only to
cause death and destruction and pain on a community for reasons no one can fathom. He saw no beauty in this world, had no compassion
for the people he called neighbour and in some cases, friend. He just wanted people to pay whatever debt
he imagined in his mind, and he wouldn’t let anyone stop him, not even innocence
bystanders. But he failed. Yes, he left death and destruction
behind. But he also left a community
coming together in love and support and the strength to carry on. They will heal and rebuild and go on with
their lives. And he will fade into
infamy. And, if there is such a place,
he will burn in hell.
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