It's Been Said....

CO Columbine TZH Much has been said, written, debated, argued, and analyzed about the massacre that took place at Columbine High School 20 years ago this coming April. Much has been said about the victims who were murdered. Much has been said about the victims who were physically injured. But it hasn't been until somewhat recently that other survivor stories have begun to emerge....stories of those who were there that day but were not physically injured. I truly don't know why those stories have taken so long to emerge, but it's a very good thing, in my opinion, that they finally are. One such example was recently published in Westword, a local media outlet in the Denver Metro area: Columbine Survivors Talk About the Wounds That Won't Heal "Sadly, Columbine has also become a case study in the long-range trauma inflicted by such an event. In the months after the shootings, reporters wrote frequently about the challenges faced by the most seri...

Belva Palmer is the youngest of my two younger sisters. These are some of her memories of the days, weeks, and months following the Columbine massacre. A couple clarifications for those who read this essay: Belva, as Faye also did, mentions 'Jerry' throughout her memories. That would be me. My given name is 'Jerrold', and my family has always known me as 'Jerry'. Belva also mentions Marc, Whitney, and Brendon. Marc is Belva's husband, Whitney is her daughter, and Brendon is her son. Belva Palmer Belva....in her own words: I got up and went to work just like any other day. I remember it was absolutely gorgeous outside, very sunny and warm. It was a perfect spring day. I took an early lunch with my friend to run some errands. We got back to the office around 11:40. I had just finished eating my lunch when another friend came into my office and asked if I had heard about what’s going on at the school. I looked at her and asked “What...

Faye Rockswold is the oldest of my two younger sisters. These are some of her memories of the days, weeks, and months following the Columbine massacre. A couple clarifications for those who read this essay: Faye mentions 'Jerry' throughout her memories. That would be me. My given name is 'Jerrold', and my family has always known me as 'Jerry'. Faye also mentions Rocky, Jill, and Brent. Rocky is Faye's husband, Jill is her daughter, and Brent is her son. Finally, she also mentions Belva. Belva is our youngest sister. Her essay will soon follow this one. Faye Rockswold Faye....in her own words: I remember it was a Tuesday.   I had taken emergency leave to attend the funeral of my Aunt Tina in New Leipzig.   It’s about a 4 hour drive and the funeral was at 1:00 Mountain time.   Rocky and I talked as we drove and didn’t have the radio on.    It was a very nice funeral service and I remember spending a little extra time out at the cemetery v...

The first time this blog was begun a few years ago it was intended to provide a forum for anyone and everyone having been affected by gun violence trauma to share their personal stories of survival and healing. The blog is back, and every once in awhile I'll be kicking in with a story of my own.  In the meantime, the first guest blog post I'm sharing is from Mary Kay Mace whose daughter, Ryanne, was killed at Northern Illinois University February 14, 2008. Ryanne Mace - Summer 2005 This essay is Mary Kay's recounting of her memories from one year following the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. These are the 'ripple effects' of gun violence and the effects it has on survivors. I remember exactly where I was when I found out. I was sitting in my home office one  year ago today when I saw the news that a gunman was reported at a Connecticut  elementary school. I immediately felt my stomach clench. I hoped fervently that the ...