20 people were killed and a further 26 were left wounded after the a mass shooting in a Walmart at an El Paso shopping complex on the morning of August 3, 2019. The lone gunman was taken into custody, and Texas law enforcement has identified the shooting suspect as 21-year-old Patrick Crusius of Allen, Texas.

The violent attack has left the region in grief and shock, as locals come to terms with their loss and the disturbing details surrounding the lead-up to the shooting. According to a manifesto, reportedly written by the suspect, the act was the result of Crusius’s sociopolitical disillusionment. His written document is cited as referencing the Christchurch shooting, a “Hispanic invasion of Texas”, and the failure of Democrat and Republican leaders in the US.

In the midst of all the turmoil and hate is the call for a demonstration of love and compassion from El Paso teacher, Teresa Garrett. She left the following message on her Facebook page:

“Hello. We are teachers in El Paso. We would like to know if anyone is interested in sending us postcards to help our students know there is plenty of good in our world. As teachers, we may only be able to say so much. We think concrete messages of support would help us calm some fears.”

Unfortunately, we don’t live in a world that’s void of pain, and during traumatic times, it’s the most vulnerable who are at risk of trying to work their way through events that can cause long-term psychological problems. Dealing with distress can be extremely difficult for adults but ever so much more for the little people in our lives. Mass panic and fear can permeate through the homes of families and the classrooms of schools, when the unfathomable happens in our communities.

Sometimes, we as adults may not always have the words to explain or provide comfort during times where children can become confused and fearful of the world around them. It’s at these times that only love will do – the expression and demonstration of love. It is said that love conquers all and perhaps is the only tool we can use use to fight fear. Garrett’s appeal for messages of support for her students is an example of the importance of how each of us in society can help and think of others, even those on distant shores, just through a demonstration of love and compassion. Love can drive out pain, fear, resentment, and discomfort.

You can reach out to the teachers and students of El Paso, and show them that the world still has a lot of goodness to be experienced. Our humanity should be one of our most important defining characteristics and will always shine a light in the darkest of places.

To send a letter of love and encouragement to the teachers and students of Hillside Elementary and Tom Lea Elementary in El Paso use the contact details below. Remember that your messages of hope will not only represent an outpouring of compassion for the students belonging to these schools, but to teachers and students everywhere.

Flores

Hillside Elementary

4500 Clifton Ave.

El Paso, TX 79903

Teresa Garrett

Tom Lea Elementary

4851 Marcus Uribe Dr.

El Paso, TX. 79934

All we need is love.

Something about that just made me stop and think. How often do you hear that the simple gesture of smiling at someone can improve your own mood? Or that a small act of kindness is often paid forward time and time again? Once several years back, there was even the “Complaint Free World” bracelet movement started by Will Bowen (I still have several of those bracelets; check out the organization’s website at www.acomplaintfreeworld.org) to help us all keep things in perspective.