Our community’s bubble was recently burst when someone decided to walk into a grocery store and end the lives of 10 innocent people. We’re still processing this… and in the meantime, there have been several more violent incidents in the news. It doesn’t seem to ever stop.
When things happen like this it shocks all of us to our very core. Sometimes it feels as though one tragic event is happening right after the other, and living through a global pandemic doesn’t make things any easier.
Taking the time to mourn those that we lost from our community is necessary, and it’s also important to take notice of how people are trying to bring light amongst the darkness.
The events that occurred on March 22, 2021 will be ingrained in the heart and soul of the entire Colorado community for many years to come, but it’s also important to focus on the good that came from this tragedy.
Showing Love and Kindness
One of these good stories comes in the form of an 11-year old boy who went to two King Sooper’s stores and gave each employee a flower to show his support. The boy, JJ Witmer, said it “was really scary and sad” after he learned what happened at the Boulder King Sooper’s. He turned to his mother, Jody Witmer, and said “we need to do something” which led to them driving to two different stores and handing out the flowers.
Many of the employees were moved to tears and one employee, Esparza-Barnabe, said they were so overwhelmed with JJ’s kindness that they “actually turned and walked to the back and cried.” JJ’s mom, Jody, reflected on her son’s actions by saying “My favorite story was when he was giving one of the cashiers a flower, and a lady who was checking out started to cry. The flower wasn’t even for her. She just said, ‘I’m so moved by this.’”
Coming Together and Healing From Tragedy
The fence that was once used by police to block off the Table Mesa King Sooper’s was also transformed into an entire wall of flowers. Many people from the community have come together to grieve and show support in a way many people are familiar with: flowers. People from all over Colorado and beyond have come to the makeshift memorial to place flowers, letters, and candles to grieve and show support for those who lost their lives that day.
There have even been service dogs at the memorial to offer healing and companionship for those mourning the community’s loss. Chaplains have been present as well to talk with people and help them express their grief so they are able to begin the healing process.
Mr. Rogers once said “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” If there’s anything to be said about (most any) community, it’s that its people are always there to help each other out, no matter the circumstance.
Helping Adolescents and Teens Heal From Trauma with Counseling
Peek Counseling is owned and operated by Katie Bisbee-Peek, an adolescent and teen counselor in Denver Colorado. Her specialty includes working with youth/adolescents, families, individuals, and life transitions.
She aspires to help teens/youth have a voice, to be heard, to be understood by people in their life. She also wants to help parents connect and build stronger and healthier relationships with their son or daughter.
This has been a tough year. And, it hasn’t gotten much easier for teens. In fact, the news has been quite disheartening and honestly, scary. Having someone in your child’s corner to listen and help them find courage in this tough world is what Peek Counseling is all about.
Resources:
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2021/03/25/king-soopers-shooting-flowers-colorado/
- https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/boulder-shooting/boulder-shooting-chaplains-comfort-dogs/73-ecae8c4c-c002-451b-bd45-2036426f3cc1