"I have told you these things, so that in me you may find peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -John 16:33
On Sunday October 1st, 2017 Las Vegas, a place that I've called home for most of my life, was shaken. People gathered at the Route 91 Festival like they do every year for good music, great friends, and most importantly to make memories. But on Sunday, the memories turned from happy to tragic in the blink of an eye. God kept me home safe that night, I had a ticket to the concert but we were unable to find another one cheap enough so I gave my ticket up. I was so disappointed as I was looking forward to going to the festival since I found out I would be in town for it. But God had other plans for me. I woke up at 2am on Oct. 2nd to see friends checking in "safe" on facebook. I clicked the link. I never imagined what I was reading would turn into the largest mass murder in modern U.S history. At the time they were only reporting 6 dead and 20 more injured but that quickly grew to over 58 dead, and 250 more injured several still in critical condition.It's hard not being in the position to go out and help. As an EMT I have been trained on mass casualty incidents. I've played a mock victim in a grass field during a mass casualty training drill for the National Guard. As a Red Cross Disaster Responder I've held the hand of someone sobbing because they just lost a loved one and their lives have changed for ever. As the operations manager for a family reunification center I've seen the panic in the eyes of people who haven't heard from their loved ones and searching for any answer to their condition or whereabouts. I've seen tragedy first hand. I can't tell you how much my heart aches that I can't be out their with the other responders comforting those who have lots people. I cried when they were still transporting people to hospitals Monday morning and I was only laying on the couch reading about it. I am unable to give blood, I really don't have to much money to donate. So I started praying because sometimes praying is all you can do. I reached out to my contacts who were working at the family reunification center. Their phone lines and reunification centers were overwhelmed. As Metro began matching victims to searching family members I was emailed key information and would call the family and update them. One of the calls I made was to a family who's 19 year old daughter was in critical condition her breathing was solely reliant on a ventilator. Her family had gotten a text that she was shot and that's the last they had heard from her. I called the mother. She understandably broke down in tears when I said "Hi my name is Elizabeth I'm calling to let you know we have received an update on your daughter..." All she could do was answer "...please don't say it." I then proceeded to share with her her daughter's location and condition. The relief that she was located and still clinging to life was enough for her to, in between crying breaths, ask me the address of the hospital.
This one hit home. It shook us to our core. People close to me have lost their closest friends. We need to be there for one another now more than ever. Even if you don't live in Las Vegas reach out to those who have been affected by this, whether it was directly, or if the emotional shell shock of it all has affected those indirectly. Don't let someone hiding their grief and pain slip through the cracks. I have reached out to my counselor and have been able to talk about it. That doesn't change the sadness or the guilt that I feel but it helps. If you or someone you know needs to talk know that my inbox is always open. Las Vegas is one, we are strong, we will find peace.
To the law enforcement officers who ran into the gunfire, to the EMS professionals who watched the mayhem unfold and still kept their cool, to the bystanders who risked their lives to stay and help those who were no longer able to help themselves thank you. You are the true heroes. As the dust settles remember that you yourself may need to talk to someone. Reaching out and asking for help is more than okay. What you witnessed and handled that night and into the early morning is unlike anything most people will ever see. You were the calm in the chaos I can't thank you enough, the victims can't thank you enough, Las Vegas can't thank you enough.
With Love,
Elizabeth <3
*The story of reunification shared above was shared with permission from the family.*
