On September 12, 2001, my dog Maddy refused to leave my side. She knew something was up. Something awful. Instead of merely whining as I shut the garage door, she hurled herself at it. Had she been a dog smaller than the Rottweiler she was, I might have just left her there. But, I wanted to keep my garage door intact so along she came.
It wasn't the terrible things that happened in New York and other parts of the world that day that concerned my dear Maddy. It was the effect of those things on me. She knew I was troubled. She was right. I felt ill. I felt disgusted with mankind, yet oddly proud of them at the same time. The horrors we are capable of inflicting upon ourselves appalled me. The strength we show in the face of those horrors filled me with pride.
I feel the same way now. My beloved Maddy isn't with me any longer. She died several months ago and I still think of her every day. Now, my wife, my daughters and another four-legged friend Cassie fill my life with warmth and love. I consider myself one lucky bastard to have them around, especially at times like these when I need them to ward off the despair I feel when I look at the news.
What has happened in Norway this past day is beyond the scope of a reasonable mind to comprehend. I cannot put into words the complete repugnance I feel. I can only think of the wonderful people there and beyond who must now live on past this horror. It's a strange mix of worry, grief and pride I feel for them.
As I do, a song plays in my head. 'As' by Stevie Wonder is primarily a love song but it also sends us all a message that there is hope for a better world for those who will survive us.
Play it now. Play it loud. Sing along and dance (hopefully you'll do both better than I) and remind yourself that terrible things like the events in Norway give us a chance and inspiration to prevent their repetition.
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