Silver Lining?

It took nearly all day to find a story with a silver lining albeit tarnished as this one surely is. Thanks to my sister for finding this story and forwarding it on.

It's not truly upbeat, but it does present what could be our better side. To recognize that justice does not equal vengeance, to understand that compassion is necessary and important in a world full of hatred, and finally, to affirm that children are in need of protection regardless of what terrible deeds they may do.

Even though Larry's family is in denial about his questioning of his sexual orientation and has been offended by the way the gay community has claimed Larry as one of their own, at least these folks have the decency to stand up for what they believe is right. They are not perfect, but they get it.

Even though I am not one for praying anymore, I am praying for this young man. It sure would be nice if we could save this soul.

From my sis: Yes, hopefully he can be taught to communicate...and eventually live life as a decent human being.

This weekend we had been talking about the fact that the only "good" to come from this tragedy is that Larry's organs had been donated. I am very much in support of organ donation (it's been marked on my license since the first one I got), but it hardly seemed like consolation in this case.

I am hopeful that as a community we can learn some hard and essential lessons from this case:

1) everyone is entitled to be who he/she is

2) children must learn that all souls have worth, starting with their own

3) adults must take responsibility to teach communication, mediation and conflict resolution -- to believe that children will come upon this naturally is so backward I am struggling to find the right adjective to describe how inconceivable it is

4) all disputes can be resolved without violence -- but the process for reaching those resolutions must be taught and practiced

5) compassion is the best answer

If we could learn any one of these (if not all), if we could value these truths enough to pass them along to our children, if we could live our lives according to these beliefs -- even when we fall off the wagon -- then there may be some consolation.

We can start here... realizing that children do what they are taught to do; this boy was taught to resolve disputes with violence. That it was the wrong choice is indisputable. Should this one mistake mean that he must forfeit his life? Surely that is not justice. Justice requires compassion. Let's find a way to save this soul in exchange for the one that was tragically lost rather than compounding the tragedy.