Black Monday

A police officer securing the mall after multiple shootings.

This has been a horrible day. A killer strolled into Trolley Square, an upscale mall in Salt Lake City, and fired a shotgun on an unknown amount of people. Right now they're not sure how many are dead or injured. The police evidently shot him down and killed him, but not before he had run the length of the mall on his rampage.

This is a mall I frequent. Brad and I have eaten in most of the restaurants, where tonight people stuffed their children under bread carts for protection, and others locked themselves in freezers to keep the gunman out. Family restaurants, with children and parents enjoying a night out, when all of a sudden their whole world changed.

In addition to this tragedy, my sister-in-law's father died tonight as well. Just collapsed. He was only 55. I feel so bad for her. She's having, understandably, a really difficult time and is grieving.

Also in our area within the last couple of days a young Bishop's pregnant wife and two of their kids were killed by a 17 year old drunk driver.

A couple days before that a young 24 year old mom was killed when her new month-old home exploded because of a gas leak.

What is going on here?! This is all WAY too close to home. It's amazing how things can change in the blink of an eye. One moment it all can be going along smoothly, and bam--all of a sudden everything's different. I hope I truly appreciate my family and loved ones. I hope I live without regrets. I hope I live in the moment. I wish I could protect my family from stuff like this, but I don't know how. As I've watched, I've been amazed at the faith and strength of some of the people going through it, and my heart has broken for others who didn't have that same faith. I can't help but wonder how I would react in situations like I've witnessed the last couple of weeks. I certainly don't want to find out.