We can do better--

flickr photo shared by honikum 

under a Creative Commons ( BY-ND ) license

I couldn't help it--
Tears in my eyes--
A pain in my heart--

For the third time in a month, a small child (this one just 5 months old riding with mom in the car to the grocery store) was killed in a drive by shooting in Cleveland, just 30 miles west of here and our home for many years.

3 children in one month-  one 3 years old, one 5 years old and now one 5 months old-- all victims of driveby shootings.

The Cleveland mayor saying "enough is enough" and the Chief of Police crying as he reported what happened saying  "marches are not enough, we need to do something."

Two days in a row--
first President Obama at the federal level about the horrific tragedy in Oregon and now the Mayor on the loss of life of these 3 little ones.

And I wonder-- is this who we, as a nation, want to be?

I know solutions to these senseless tragedies are complex and multifaceted and will take a focus and determination as yet unrealized. And I believe there is a path to a better tomorrow.

What if--

Everyone of us advocated for a better system of background checks, more funds and programs for the mentally ill, mentors and initiatives for urban areas where gangs are prevalent to reduce gang violence,  and new endeavors to eliminate childhood poverty across the nation?

What if--

Everyone of us carefully vetted the federal, state and local officials we voted for to learn their plans for decreasing the violence across the country that has permeated both urban and rural areas? And what if our votes aligned with that vetting?

What if  --

Everyone of us watched out for those we sense are fragile-- stepped out to be more inclusive; stepped back with vitriolic language; and stepped back out to report our concerns when signs of depression, instability arise in others in our face to face lives and on social media ?

What if--

Everyone of us drew a circle that pulled all in?

Outwitted-- E. MarkhamHe drew a circle that shut me out--
Heretic, a rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!