Three weeks ago, on 7/7, I spent hours hiding under a bed while a man with a gun, RD, held two of my friends hostage. He released one of them and hours passed. I waited until there was no choice but to reveal myself and try to change the course of that horrific night.
Everyone, including the media, wants to hear my side of the story… That is not what this is. That story has been written and may be shared sometime, but this is not that day. This is about something else. This is about choices. The choices that we make affect everyone around us; like ripples in life’s pond.
Sometimes life is messy and complicated and it doesn’t play by the rules and people can get very, very hurt. I don’t believe in evil people. I believe everyone has it in him or herself to make evil choices or good choices and it is those choices which define us all.
The world likes things to be simple, but they are not. Most everyone is taught, from a very young age, that stories need a hero and a villain and people want to think the same about the night of 7/7. I believe RD was not the villain that night nor was I the hero; he chose to do bad things and I chose to do good things.
I hope the one lesson people learn from this terrible tragedy is that we all need to choose to be kinder and a bit more compassionate even when it seems most difficult– especially when it seems most difficult– because those may be the most significant moments of all.
Please, move forward; live your lives and consciously choose to do good things.
Brava.
Wonderfully said. Can’t believe how much courage it takes to survive what you did and still have this outlook on life. I agree with Jim: Brava.
What wonderful words of wisdom. I believe that God puts people in the right place at the right time. Thank you for being a strong individual who contributed to our community in such a positive way and also spreading the word of kindness. Hero or not, there are not many people in this world who can see past the ugliness of a bad decision. I’ll 3rd the “Brava.”
This is very inspiring. I have always felt this way but never really knew how to express it and your word are a perfect way of doing that. If only the rest of the world would think this way we might not have had the tragedy that day to begin with. My thoughts are with you and all the victims involved in this incident . Thank you so much for sharing your kind thoughts with us.
I’m glad you’re ok Em. ~ Jac
I am so moved by your words. I have taken them to heart and plan to put them to use. We all have learned from your experience. Thank you so much for sharing and may you be blessed and able to overcome this horrific experience, I pray for all who lost their lives and all who survive.
Nobody won on that day. Nobody. Wonderful insight Megan. God bless
Wonderful words to live by. Thank you for sharing from your heart. Yes, I too believe there are not evil people but only evil acts and thoughts. Bless you, it was just not your time. This world still needed you and the work there is left for you to complete. Blessings on you every day!
I have often told my children that there are not bad people just people making bad choices, and that we want to try our best to make good choices. Thank you for sharing your wisdom in such an eloquent way.
He is a dam villian and nobody should think other wise.
sarah,
I wonder what makes you believe you are entitled to decide what others should or should not think. I doubt that attitude will serve you well in life, but I certainly wish you the best of luck.
It is much harder to deal with a situation like this when there is not a “hero” or “villain” that we have been trained to look for. He was a man who also lost his life that day.
Em, your strength is inspiring. Thank you for sharing! God bless you!
Thank you! Your words and outlook on life has brought a new perspective on mine.
I try to live a very simple life and everyday I tell the ones that I love ….that I love them so very much…what you said is very well put. I thank GOD that the rest of you are safe and sound and I pray for everyones family that the day and night of 7/7 touched. As I believe no one knows what the very next minute in life will bring..so always live for the moment and make sure everyone knows that you love them!