This world, is troubled. I think at this point can all see it. We have to live in fear, fear of the person sitting next to you on the train, or walking past you in the street, fear of what the next day can bring. And we fear for good reason. Because people come into our homes to rob us off our safety. Because they in some disturbed way feel like they can make the choice to end a human life. For what? For power? Greed?

As you grow older you will realize how scary this world can be. And things start to make you worry and fear living. We’ll never truly know why people choose to attack. Why they use to inflict violence on others. Why they feel it is their right to do so.

You learn to question people. To be weary of their motives. To trust no one. It’s a sad feeling, to feel unsafe while traveling, or living your life in the place you’ve always called home. Home is supposed to be your sanctuary and one day, one hour, one minute can change all that.

When I think back on being a kid in elementary school, and having my classroom window face Manhattan as the twin towers became victims of terrorist attacks on our country, I think about how little I understood back then. And looking at all that continues to go on in this world as of today, I realize how much I still don’t fully understand it either. But how I’ve grown to be cautious.

The attacks on Paris are heartbreaking and my heart and prayers go out to the many lives lost (some Americans who were there visiting) and their families who are now faced with grieving. I’m sure for the people living there, it was a day that appeared ordinary, routine. Much like September 11th did for us. People went to work, students went to school, peopled traveled, people got their morning coffee. And then just like that everything changed. And tragedy struck, and changed every New Yorker.

I visited Paris, France on a high school trip. I visited the Luve and saw the Mona Lisa in person, I saw the Arch of Triumph, Notre Dame Church, The Beaches of Normandy, Several Castles. I ate croissants for breakfast and crepes for lunch. And most importantly I got to visit the Eiffel Tower, which was breathtaking. They call it the city of lights and I was fortunate enough to be able to get just a taste of all its beauty. It saddens my heart to know this tragedy has struck such a magical place.

These attackers they want to divide. To shock and have us shut down. They want us to fear, and lose faith. And to some extent I think they succeeded. But we can’t let them. We can’t let them win. Regardless of whichever religion you practice, there is no God that would condone such horrific acts. And in times of tragedy we must rally together and support each other. We must pray. We must hope. We must have faith. We must resist the urge to fear our neighbor.

Politics, government and safety officers can only do so much. I believe in a higher power. And I pray that this world wakes up and that we all receive a more peaceful world. A world where we can feel safe and childish- almost naïve of the world’s harshest secrets, like we once were.

I’ve been seeing something a lot on social media, about how other countries have been supporting Paris during this time, and this form of unity is something beautiful. I hope we continue to be a union and get each other through this saddened time.

I’m going to leave off with this quote from one of my favorite tv shows. Whenever tragic things happen, this quote always finds its way into my mind. I remember feeling chills when I heard it, because it’s so true.

One Tree Hill- With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, We Slept

Season 3 Episode 16.

A bullied student brings a gun to school, endangering the safety of all the students at Tree Hill High.

Lucas Scott’s Voice is Heard:

Does this darkness have a name? This cruelty, this hatred, how did it find us? Did it steal into our lives, or did we seek it out and embrace it? What happened to us? That we now send our children into the world like we send young men to war… Hoping for their safe return… But knowing that some will be lost along the way. When did we lose our way? Consumed by the shadows, swallowed whole by the darkness. Does this darkness have a name? Is it your name?

So pray, pray for Paris, pray for the U.S., pray for the world’s safety, for understanding, for unity, for justice, but most importantly pray for peace and the strength to get each other through this.

God Bless and Be Safe, Friends.

-<3-

*Paris photos are credited to myself and my trip.*

*The social media collage of lights was found on Facebook, I do not take credit for the images used or the collage itself.*