Making a Difference

A girl named Mary Beth Talley was present when a shooter came into her church one day. Despite the dangerous situation, this senior found the nerve to not only hide herself but to also help hide another girl who suffered from Down syndrome.
It sounded like the 'right' sort of thing to do, and I wasn't too affected by this story until I considered being put in such a position myself. When bullets are shooting past, and my life is threatened, would I be able to move? Would I be able to break past that cloud of terror.?
That was when I realized that this girl really was extraordinary, because she found the courage to risk her own life to save another girl, one who was fighting her all the way. When I consider my own character, I can only see myself frozen, incapable of even twitching.
What affected me the most was this girl's words in response to praise. She said, "...I did the right thing because, why wouldn't I?" For keeping a cool head under fire, and for having such an instinctual understanding of what must be done, I admire this girl.
She could have died. She could have been crippled for life by a stray bullet. The struggling girl that she saved could have kicked her in the way of a bullet. Despite this, despite the thoughts that would have frozen me, she persevered, holding down the other girl at risk to her own safety, simply because it was the right thing to do. Forget fear, this girl knew what was the right thing to do and she did it.
If I am ever put through such an ordeal, I hope this girl's spirit will inspire me to break free of my own fear. I hope that I, too, can do the right thing to do.
What this girl did was small in terms of the entire world. she saved one girl, one life, one that even mentally ill. But then, she also helped save one family from grief. That, if anything else, is enough of a difference in this world.

Peace

Peace? Peace is when conflicts end, and needless death is eliminated. Peace is when everyone understands where others come from, accept it, and take the effort to find a way of life that accommodates all. Peace is that kindergarten poster of a circle of children all around the globe, holding hands and smiling at the viewer.

Peace is an intangible dream, one that is nigh impossible to reach, but is still sought because of the universal wish for a better world, life, and home, for us, our future, and our children.