13 Seconds of Silence at 10 am, 4-20-18, around the country and wider world & online

Lighting a candle here in the countryside of CT in my Turtle Garden to remember the students and community of Columbine High School who suffered the passing of 13 students  beginning at 11:19 am due to the gunfire of two male teens, Klebold and Harris,  who then took their own lives shortly after noon.

I met a woman who had someone close to her have to flee for her safety after being beaten by a 'nice man who worked with many people'. That woman from the East Coast was visting people near Columbine High in the aftermath and was able to meet with one of the families. I met this person briefly at a support group many years later.

She encouraged me to do whatever advocacy I felt mattered or needed sharing. I would offer special prayers for the families and friends of the youth who went astray and crossed that 'unthinkable line' of harming and killing their peers and teachers.

One had been at the prom only a few days prior (Harris). I will learn more over time but recall writing to The Voice about this and taking time at noon for minute for each victim and loss of life.

Acknowledging the humanity of those doing the shooting may pave more ways to prevent others from going down that path...considering more of the many factors that contribute over time, often through media, mixed social messages or bullying, or being more aware of mental health matters, personality types such as explored in The Enneagram theory, and much more.

For now, it's time to light the candle and think of all the youth gathering today to prevent gun violence and other forms of despair and crime against oneself and others. Peace and light!