No amount of information fills this emptiness that I feel. I search for updates, track donation sites, watch interviews of survivors. It’s not enough. And here is why.
I have the overwhelming desire to reach you, comfort you, hold you. You, the survivor. You, who lost your son. You, whose life is forever changed because of one unfortunate night.
No amount of money, publicity or answers will be enough to comfort you. That tragic night will forever be with you, and for that I am sorry. I’m sorry that you will never be the same as you were minutes before he walked into that bar. I’m sorry that your life is now defined by that night.
I know that my words will not bring you back to before the shooting, but I want you to know that you are not alone. I stand with you as you heal. I stand with you as you mourn, I stand with you as you defend your right to love who you love.
I have cried with you. I have mourned with you. Nothing will make you whole right now, but please know that when you feel incomplete because of what has happened to you, I am here to make up the difference. I will stand by you. I will work for you. I will. I will complete you when you can’t find yourself to be whole on your own.
This act of violence was against all of us. You were my brother. You were my sister. You were attacked. I was attacked. We will get through this together.
It could have been me. It could have been anyone. I’m sorry that it was you. You are not alone.
