My Truth

[Pariah]

Over a thirteen-hour period spanning April 18–19, 2020, a series of homicides took place at various locations in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The perpetrator shot and killed at least 22 people and set fire to at least five buildings before being killed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

It is the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history, surpassing the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, during which 15 people were killed

As some you of you know, I am a 911 dispatcher... I was working while these killings took place... And one of the victims, a veteran RCMP officer, was my friend.

I am not one to stand on a soapbox, but I've spent the past week trying to wrap my head around this senseless violence and just wanted to re-commit myself to a few truths that I like to think I already live by...

Don't waste the time you're given promoting a bitter outlook or holding onto foolish grudges... Embrace what you have and be thankful because you never know what might be snatched away without warning.

Thank you for reading... Take care of yourselves and those around you... We are all human beings.

[TTX]

That's sad and crazy. I don't get this world at times. I don't get why there's so much hate out there. I am glad I have this place to be with people who are pretty cool about stuff. Hope things improve, Pariah. You are so valued here.

[Vegas]

Pariah.

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I remember reading about that senseless massacre in Nova Scotia and how the perpetrator dressed as a police officer and even had his car resemble a police vehicle.

[pikemojo]

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend. Very, very sad and completely senseless.

[ShauntotheMaxx]

It's just so senseless man. Nobody should have to go through something like this, I'm sorry for your loss man. And you're 100% right. Hold close what you hold dear. It can end without warning. Love it and never take it for granted.

[ajcostello]

Not to make light of the situation here... because it is a terrible, terrible thing and I completely agree with Pariah on all points about our lives... but if I don't at least try to say to laugh about it might make me cry.

So, here goes:

People are the Number One Reason that I've been doing self-isolation and social distancing on my own for a decade and more. So I'm getting through the pandemic as if life hasn't changed at all.

Haha.

Seriously, though. Tomorrow hasn't been promised to any of us and everything can end at any moment so I really do believe that we should remind the people that we love how we feel every chance that we get. We should enjoy getting to do the things that we love because not one of us ever knows when exactly the last time that we'll get to do them comes. Live life to the fullest and be good to each other.

I might not agree with everyone here when they express their opinions and their personal tastes but I really do appreciate this community more than most of you will ever realize.

Even if we disagree on things and argue about it, I'm glad that you're all here and that we can have these discussions. I'm glad that you're all here. Alive and well.

Because the alternative isn't something I want to think about.

[wyldesyd]

I'm sorry for your loss. This is not a time for violence , but to get through this.

[Bri]

I'm very sorry to hear about you're friend Pariah.

It's not right and it's not fair - any of that.

I didn't know you were a 911 dispatcher, but I can now say without a shadow of a doubt that this world is much safer and better off because of it.

I salute you brother.

Bri