When Tragedy Strikes

Here at Three Ways, we tend to keep things light.  We make jokes and say “pause” a lot.  While that is all well and good, this entry is a change of pace.

On Friday, I was browsing the web as I usually do when I’m in class and came across the news about the tragic deaths of Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother.  I stopped and said prayer for her and her family.  As the search commenced for her missing nephew, I couldn’t help but think about why.  Why do things like this happen to anyone?

Because of her fame, her business is plastered all over the news.  This is probably one of many blogs reIated to the story.  I can only imagine the overwhelming amount of support she is receiving from fans and members of the entertainment community.  But I also think about how in times like this, one may want to be left alone to grieve in private.  For people in the spot light, they have no such option.  As if their own thoughts don’t remind them enough, stories are plastered everywhere.

This senseless crime brings up some issues, to say the least.  It is alleged that this “isn’t a case of stranger type homicide.”  And it’s still too early to answer all the “why” questions.  But would any answer really be acceptable?  Understandable?  Justifiable?

A man has been taken in custody.  The stepfather of Julian King, Jennifer’s nephew.  Though he has not been charged, he is a “person of interest.”  He is currently being held for “parole violations”.  While he has served time for attempted murder and car theft, one cannot really judge his guilt or innocence at this point, though anything is possible.  Even for him though, I hope the criminal justice system does right by him.  We have all seen the shows and heard the stories.  Sometimes “innocent until proven guilty” isn’t universally applied.

Though Jennifer Hudson is famous, and now well known around the world, this situation helped remind me that no one is exempt from pain and loss.  I know I’m not.  Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the glam and glitter of the artists we rock to on our iPods or watch on the big screen. It’s easy  to think about how cool it must be to do what they do, or have access to the material things that most can only dream about.  But they are just like us.  Their worlds can be turned upside down just like ours.

No one expects these kinds of things to happen to anyone.  But they do.  A family is forever changed.  A mother’s heart is broken.  Children will bury their mother.  Sisters will bury their brother.  Imagine the tradegies that don’t make the news.  Think about the pains that you have experienced in your life that never made anyone’s news report.

No matter how famous one is, I would imagine the pain of loss feels the same.  And loss comes in so many shapes and sizes.  But the needs that arise from the loss are the same. Prayer.  Faith.  Comfort.  Hugs.  Friends.  Family.  Love.  Support.  Time to heal.  Space to cry.  Room be angry.  Silence.  Words of encouragement.

Those are the things that don’t cost anything, but mean so much when you can give or receive them.

In light of this tragedy, please take time to reflect on your own life.  Think about what matters to you, and if those things really should as you try to look at the big picture.  If they don’t, work to let them go and put your energy to better use.  You’ll be better for it.

Sowhatiff “I gets my Dr. Phil on” Jenkins