Three days ago, I woke up with the rest of the country to discover the horrific Pulse shooting. Since then, it’s been hard to even put into words all of my thoughts and emotions. You see, I’ve lived in Orlando for over 9 years. It’s my home. I work less than 2 miles from Pulse. I live less than 5 miles from Pulse. I pass it multiple times each week. This tragedy that is all over the news and social media happened in my town, my home, and to my fellow neighbors. Nothing can prepare you for when something like this happens in your community.
If you asked me to describe Orlando before this tragedy, I’d say that we are a growing city filled with lots of dedicated citizens all interested in making our City Beautiful the best it can be. Our city’s leadership has spent years bringing new venues, transportation options, and industries to our area. We recently welcomed Orlando City Soccer and Orlando Pride to our town. We are home to the Magic, and all the magic and joy that Disney and Universal can offer. We are the happiest place on earth for crying out loud.
Then Sunday morning happened. And suddenly, the happiest place on earth, the City Beautiful, my home, is splattered all over the news. We lost 49 of our neighbors and dozens more were injured.
To say that this has all been surreal is an understatement.
Every time I see articles, or news casts, or social media posts about Orlando, I immediately think…there is no way that they can be talking about my Orlando. People across the globe cannot be holding vigils for my neighbors. That simply cannot be possible.
Despite this horrific and unimaginable tragedy, I can honestly say that I’ve never been more proud to be an Orlandoan. To call this town home.
In the early hours after the tragedy, a call went out for blood donations. Thousands of people showed up to stand in line for hours and hours to donate blood. Hundreds more showed up with sunscreen, waters, and snacks for those waiting. By the time I got back in town on Sunday, Oneblood was no longer taking any additional blood donations.
The officers, first responders, and medical staff performed miracles. The number of deaths could be much much worse if it wasn’t for the heroic actions of these individuals.
Local restaurants began preparing food for first responders, medical staff, the families of victims, and so forth and have not stopped.
Billboards were made to spread the message of love.
Pet organizations are offering services to take care of the pets whose owners were affected by the tragedy. Jetblue offered flights to Orlando for the families of the victims. Disney and other hotels are offering lodging to the families of the victims. A city cemetery has offered free burial plots to the families of the victims.
The first vigil held in Orlando brought more than 5,000 people to honor those whose lives were lost and those still fighting. Many more vigils are planned for every day this week.
Our mayor established the OneOrlando fund and Darden, Disney, Jetblue, and the Orlando Magic collectively donated $1.7 million to help victims and their families, all before the fund “went live” to the public (I believe it’s now at almost $3 million). The GoFundMe campaign has raised more than any other GoFundMe campaign, ever. Restaurants are donating a portion of sales to the victims and their families. Companies are selling shirts or prints to benefit the victims.
Most importantly though, our community has demonstrated that we are a city of love and compassion. That hate will not destroy us. That hate will not defeat us. Instead, we will embrace each other with love and compassion. We will overcome this tragedy with love. Because love is love is love is love. And love will prevail.
I hope we can spread this message of love – for something good to come out of all of this tragedy. I urge you to be loving. Be loving to yourself and to your neighbor. We all deserve it.
My deepest sympathies to everyone affected by this tragedy. We stand with you and we will continue to stand with you for the days and months to come.
#orlandolove #orlandostrong #orlandounited #onepulse #loveisloveislove
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