Keep calm and... Then what?

Keep Calm and Carry On

A saying that seems so easy to do

But in this moment not one I can comprehend 

Carry on doesnt seem like something I can do right now

Maybe, keep calm and...

 ...just pray

...just stop thinking about it

... just hope it goes away 

 ... and just see a counselor

... just act like it didnt happen

Tried them all 

So many thoughts on how to process this incident, one you never imagine 

 The best thing I can think of doing is keep calm and just write about it 

-----------  

Seattle Pacific University 

June 5th, 2014 

I just got back from walking through the lobby like I do everyday

My coworker mentioned we were in lockdown

So, someone was robbed at 7-11, or a robbing at a local bank, or just a drill

Then one of co workers mentioned they heard gunshots 

Gunshots? 

I started to hear sirens outside- A lot of them

First police cars

Then fire fighters and trucks

Ambulances and medics

Ok, this is serious

I look out our window to check the scene 

What is happening right now? 

I glance down at the Otter Miller building and I see the body of a young man across the street below

He looked like he was moving- oh good, he is ok

Then I saw the puddle of blood

What is happening right now?

Fear that I have never experience entered my heart

Where did the shooter go?

Was there another one?

Who is that student?

So many questions ran through my head

What is happening right now?

After that scene, chaos broke out and our department had a front row to what was unraveling

The coaches coming in and letting us know if there athletes were safe

Local and national news started calling asking for interviews

We cancelled out athletic banquet- calls about that information were coming in 

Our gym became safe haven were witnesses would come and give their statement

Text messages, phone calls and facebook posts checking to see if I was ok

I said I was ok but I really should have said I was safe but not OK

What is happening right now?

 

This doesnt happen to SPU

So many emotions going on I cant seem to make sense of reality right now

Part of me doesn't want to believe it

Then the image of the victim or the fear that came over me sets in

And I start to get angry...then anxious...then tears

Then finally some peace and I feel like it is a distant memory 

Ten minutes later the cycle starts all over again

Anger...anxiety... tears...calmness

Ten minutes later my mind starts to play the "What If" game

What is the shooter decided to turn left towards the gym?

What is the shooter was not taken down and made it into a classroom?

What if?!

Ten minutes later the cycle starts all over again

Anger...anxiety... tears... calmness

Fear- Going back to work and seeing the building an thinking how easy it could happen again- Everywhere I go I walk around on alert

Sadness- For the victim , Paul Lee, not knowing what he was walking out too- that Paul will never experience a full life- for Paul's family and friends- for Seattle and our SPU community- for our graduates who now have this event forever linked to their time of joy

Anger- Why would this happen at SPU? Why did the shooter chose SPU?

Why isn't everyone grieving the way I am? How can people act like nothing happened SPU?

Confusion-  Why would this happen a week before I leave SPU? Will my emotions and memories forever be tied to this shooting? Why the week before graduation? Will I ever be able to laugh without feeling guilty? 

Is it OK to feel ALL this?

 Is this normal in one day?

I am on an emotional roller coaster no one should ever be on 

So, let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe, we believe!

 

Why do horrible things happen? 

We live in a fallen, broken world and SPU has seen the worst of it

However, there is one thing that has overcome evil

 Jesus Christ

The Seattle Pacific community is bonding together more now than ever before

We know where our anchor lies- Jesus Christ 

We know who we are leaning on during this time- Jesus Christ 

Why SPU?

I don't know but I do know that this event will not define us or break us

We will rise from this stronger than ever before

We know that are being light in this dark world right now

Paul Lee was a resident on 5th Ashton- a residence hall on the SPU campus
#weareSPU #wearefamily

In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only one foundation
We believe
In this broken generation
When all is dark, You help us see
There is only one salvation
We believe

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He's comin' back again

 

So, here I am back to reality not knowing how to process this event

Trying to process that this is my last week at SPU

Trying to process I am leaving a secure job

Trying to process I leave for Africa in less than two weeks 

Trying to process my life has forever been rocked 

I do believe that ALL things work together for the good

I know He is working on my journey- all the good and the bad

He is giving me strength to keep moving forward and helping me process

He is giving me peace and comfort when my heart is anxious

He is helping me to eventually take this tragic event and make it a sad memory 

Keep calm and carry on?
I am trying
I know it will take time
There are times I want to talk about it and times I cant say a word

I have sought out help on how to process these emotions

Everyday I am being able to get back into my routine one step at a time

I feel I am getting stronger everyday

Keep Calm and Know He is Restoring 

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Pin