Today while I was on the treadmill at the Y,
CNN was broadcasting today's service at Emanuel African-American Methodist
Episcopal Church, the first it's had since the killings. There was also an interview with someone who
explained their concept of the difference between happiness and joy. Even though I've always thought both depended
upon internal rather than external circumstances, I liked what the interviewee
said: Happiness depends on exterior
things, but joy comes from within and is "hallelujah anyway!" He also said that this incident wasn't an
isolated incident or they wouldn't have built up the strength to deal with it. (I'm glad they think such incidents build up
strength rather than wear down resolve!)
The
forgiving way they've dealt with his tragedy reminds me of how the Amish responded in 2006 after their children had been killed by a man who was mentally ill. To support his widow, they attended his funeral and stood by her side.
http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Nothing-can-kill-the-hope-and-resilience-of-kids-2468479.php
Looking for the 2006 piece by Steve Winn, I found another! The mother of the man who murdered five children and injured others is taking care of one of the injured ones.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/mother-amish-killer-cares-survivor-son-massacre-article-1.1542337
