#namesmatter

Here are some of my thoughts and experiences from my visit to Las Vegas, only days after the mass shooting that took place on October 1, 2017.

Where should I start? I received an email from a friend last Monday morning telling me about the new in Las Vegas. She was emailing since she knew I was going to be Las Vegas in October for a country concert. It was touching to hear from her. My friend Marie and I went to Las Vegas, days after the shooting from October 6-9 since we planned a trip to see Rascal Flatts in concert. We were not going to let fear win and not go to allow one man’s choice to ruin our plans. Overall, I had a wonderful experience in Las Vegas but of course it was more emotionally then we planned it to be due to recent events.

My first reaction to the news is the same reaction I always get when hearing about a mass shooting; disgust and heartbreak. What’s disheartening is the shock value seems to be fading since the number of mass shootings that have occurred make it seem like this is becoming a norm of tragic news. That’s not okay, we should NEVER be okay with the amount of mass shootings risings over the years, or any tragic events involving violence whether it’s in America or any other country. We need to be shock because this SHOULD never become normal. We should be outraged, heartbroken that innocent people are dead, and talk about how to prevent mass shootings from happening again. Isn’t that what we need to learn to improve our society? To learn from our own and other mistakes, or pure hate. Shouldn’t we as a country want to avoid tragedies like this? Don’t we want to prompt love, acceptance, tolerance, compassion, and kindness verses hate, fear, violence and death?

October 9th, before Marie and I left Vegas, we went to go and see the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign. It was one of the last things we did. We rented a car the previous day and drove to the welcome sign and it didn’t even dawn on us that the sign was located near where the shooting occurred. Instantly, our moods shifted when visiting the sign and my experience became more emotional. It made perfect sense that people would pay their respects and memorialize the sight. It’s so easy to hear news like this, get outraged, voice our frustrations on Facebook and/or social media, pray, wish people and/or issues would change, then, we move on. Simply because we have too, it’s life. However, each tragedy leaves a personal impression on us depending on how deeply connected we are to the tragedy. For me, Las Vegas has left a mark.

First, I must say I was not at the concert when the shooting happened and I did not personally know anyone at the concert or any of the victims. I only visited Vegas, days after to see Rascal Flatts in concert with a friend. I knew the basics of what happened from the news. I heard stories from concert goer’s in interviews. I’m only sharing my thoughts and experience when visiting the city days after and how it’s affected me.

When walking to the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign, I had only felt that way once before. It was when I visited New York City for the first time and walked to ground zero. At the time, the area was closed off and all it was rumble and dirt.  Two completely difference experiences but at both sights, I felt deeply heartbroken, depressed, terrified, angry, but buried underneath a light of hope.

There were several flowers, candles, and other objects to memorialize the 58 victims. There were signs next to flowers and some hung on the fences near by. People left messages where they could. Behind the sign, there were 58 crosses for the victims. I paid my respects, and walk passed each cross, noticing their photographs, little details of who they were. I saw messages from loves ones, photographs, and flowers. I couldn’t really speak, I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t find the right words, and didn’t want to have recycle words that are so commonly used. It didn’t feel right.

Leaving, I shed a few tears. I was and still am heartbroken for their families and friends as I can’t even begin to imagine their pain, loss and angry. Once I composed myself, I took all of my emotions and channeled the light of hope I felt. The good of humanity was displayed at the Welcome Sign, as a community came together to remember the innocent victims. People are sadden and what to recognized that innocent people were killed.

There is good in us, but why does it have to take a terrible tragedies for us to set aside our differences to come together as Americans, or human beings?” Rascal Flatts spoke at the concert and said, “First and foremost we are Americans, let’s come together as Republicans and Democrats.” (that’s a short summary) As, I cheered and agreed with the crowd, I was also angry. We don’t need tragedies like this to come together, we already have compassion. Why can’t we respect each other now?

Why do people NOT want to talk about gun control, especially after mass shootings? I completely understand the fact that we should respect the victims and their families. How is avoiding the issue on gun control NOT relevant? I’m not saying, let’s take everyone’s guns away. That’s unrealistic and naive thinking for sure, but it’s also naive for people on the other side who only say, “Well, it’s our second amendment right, end of conversation.”

No, both sides need to talk, listen, and MAKE changes because CHANGES need to happen to improve our culture.

Every situation or person who carried out these shootings were different. Every mass shooting from Las Vegas, to Orlando, Sandy Hook, to the shooting at the movie theater in Aurora, to Columbine, etc… It’s important for everyone to know all the facts from each situation. It’s easy to get emotional and just react. I’m completely guilty of this.

To me, a common component of these tragedies are the weapon of choice – guns.

I completely agree, that guns are not the only issue we need to talk about. There is a huge problem with mental illnesses in America that people would love to ignore. It’s not talked about enough, there is a huge stereotype around mental illness, and again avoiding the issues, does not help.

I am saying, we need to talk about Guns in America and the policies set in places to prevent innocent deaths.

So, let’s talk about this saying, “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.”

Now, I understand what this statement is applying, it’s like saying “Cars don’t kill people, people kill people.”

Okay, now let me explain how strongly I disagree this with phrasing.

Personally, I hate guns, always have and always will. I am completely uncomfortable around them. I’m terrified of gun and should be, it’s a deadly weapon. I firmly believe that NOT everyone should OWN and/or carry guns. Not everyone is stable, mature, or educated enough to handle guns. Sure, we should all have the right to be able to bear arms, purchase, and carry a weapon but there has to be rules and restrictions. NOT everyone should have access, own or be near guns.

Americans have the right to get their driver’s license but there is a process set in place.  You have to take classes, a test and be qualified. NOT everyone gets a driver license. I know it’s pretty rare, as the majority of people I know drive but I know a few people who do not have a driver licenses due to mental health issues. (Other personal reasons) I don’t really know where I am going with this comparison but what I am trying to say is there are way too many loop holes for the wrong people to get access to weapons that are designed to “kill” or “injury” people. Shouldn’t there be policies set in places to prevent mass shooting from happening?

Guns are weapons. I understand that we all live in different cities in America and I am blessed to have been raised in a community where I feel safe and don’t feel like I would need to a gun for protection. I have nothing against people who own guns and need a gun to feel safe  because honestly, I don’t live their life.

Guns do kill people. Guns are weapons. Weapons cause injury that can lead to death.

Guns are a weapon design to injury, harm and even kill. Guns are a symbol of fear.

I’m not saying ALL guns are the devil and need to be destroyed. I understand the need for guns, for protection. In the right hands, sure situations could turn out better and have saved several lives. However, I think guns do ALOT more harm than good.

In conclusion, I have to ask you, America, our government and the world, “Who or what are you waiting for, to make gun control a priority? Who has to died to get your attention? Because, there is already a long list of names that are pretty important and the list seems to keep growing. Now, we can 58 more names on that list. It was really difficult for me not think, what if? It could have easily happened to anyone of us. Would your name matter, would mind?

Thoughts and prayers are words to show compassion. It’s good to know, people are compassionate. But aren’t you tired like me of hearing the same recycled statements from politicians, celebrities, co-workers and everyone. I’m just a guilty as everyone, for sure because it’s not good to dwell on all the tragedies. It kills the spirit and it’s important to have faith (in whatever you believe) to move forward because we are not guarantee tomorrow.

Names matter. They matter, and should NOT be forgotten.

Yurika: -The demon looked up at the in curiosity.- “Something you wanted to talk to me about, Borei-niisan?”

Borei: -Placing a hand upon her head, the hound nodded with a warm grin.- “Yeah. You remember how you talked about gettin' your mortal memories back, right?”

Yurika: -Nodding her hand as the large hand covered a good portion of her head, she still wore a curious expression.- “Yeah...I remember, and I told you all about those. What's your point?”

Borei: -He chuckled and swished his tail, ruffling her hair slightly with amusement at her ambitious nature.- “Well that's all good, but what do you remember of the beginning of your afterlife? Like the start..”

Yurika: -Blinking several times, she pondered on this question with clear lack of knowledge.- “The start...I didn't even know I died. So, I guess not. Why do you ask?”

Borei: -He moved his hand to cup her chin, a gentle and inviting grin on his face.- “'Cause I thought you should get reminded of that too. All memories are important in that respect. For example, your name.”

Yurika: -She grabbed his wrist with both hands softly, her tail swaying behind her as her eyes softened.- “Aniki...you have a point, but--my name? Do you know something of it?”

Borei: -He cocked an eyebrow in slight amusement, his soft grin turning into a smirk.- “I know everything of it. Let me tell you a little story about a lost demon. Helluva keeper.”

Yurika: -Her eyes brightened in wonder and as she pressed up towards him on her tippy toes.- Oooh, you do? Tell me. Tell me everythiinng. I'll get the story mats!

Borei: -Grinning bright, he wagged his crimson tail, adoring the child-like nature that always came out when he talked like this.- “Okay okay, so this lovely demon wakes up looking entirely lost like she'd hit her head on something fierce and caught a bad case of amnesia. Now, she didn't just wake up anywhere. She woke up near the foot of a mountain in Tibet. Crazy, right?”

Yurika: -Her jaw dropped a bit like a child hearing a fairy tale bedtime story.- “Whoooaa. Was she a yōkai?” -Sitting on her knees, she perked up at the idea.-

Borei: -Plopping down beside her, he chuckled light and shook his head.- “That's the crazy part, she wasn't a demon of Asian descent at all. It was clear there was more. She just couldn't remember. Luckily, a certain hellhound happened to be wandering the area when she woke up and found her lying there. He was a pretty generous dog and wasn't gonna just leave her there. So he took her back to where he was staying at the time, cleaned her up and gave her shelter.”

Yurika: -Her eyes practically glimmered as she rocked on her knees. He was sooo dragging this story out.- “Oooh how nice of him!” -She was pretty sure she knew who he was talking about, but it was story time and she couldn't ruin that.-

Borei: -Shrugging it off, he let out a softer chuckle of amusement and reached out to pat her head before retracting his hand and resting his head on it.- “He’d sure like to think so. He went out of his way to get her clothes of her own, kimonos for festivals, and even a person bed for her. One major thing was lacking that she needed.” -His gaze shifted in her direction as he waited for her response, knowing full-well she’d have some kind of input.-

Yurika: -She tilted her head to the side, meeting his gaze and flicking her tail up behind her.- “Oh? Well, she obviously got the essential like food, clothing, and shelter. What was she missing?” -Yurika was thoroughly puzzled by this question. She had no clue what he could’ve meant, having forgotten his question from before the story started.-

Borei: -The hound’s face looked nostalgic and lost in thought as he responded to her with more of the story.- “She was missing something so easily overlooked, her name.” -He paused for a moment, seemingly reminiscing on something the demon was unaware of before returning to the question.- “So naturally after taking her in and giving her everything else, he just had to give her a name.” 

Yurika: -Ducking her head to lean towards him with interest, she waited for what seemed like the punchline. Of course she was curious. Borei never really spilled this type of deeper information with people, even her.- “Yeah?” -She added, feeling like she needed to say something.-

Borei: -He nodded and tapped his tail on the ground behind him, folding his ears back in a relaxed manner.- “It couldn’t just be any name either. Names have meanings for a good reason. At first, he had a hard time coming up with anything good. It wasn’t like he’d ever given someone a name before, but as he thought of it..the name came to him. She was like a surprise to him. Coming into his life had helped him change, grow a little maturity, find more than he realized he had, and that’s when he saw it.” -He looked to her, perking his ears as if for a type of dramatic effect with a kind grin.-

Yurika: -His effect worked like a charm, making the demon sit up higher and place her hands in her lap while rocking a little in anticipation. This was a better story than she’d imagined. She didn’t even know he was good at story-telling.- “What did he see?”

Borei: -The humor in her reaction was clear by his smirk as he placed a hand on her shoulder to try and settle her rocking.- “He saw her meaning. Knowing her meaning and her place, her name came easy. She was his ‘Aha’ moment. She was his ‘Eureka, I’ve got it’. So the only logical name to give her was the Romaji version, ‘Yurika’. It just so happened that it also meant ‘beautiful lily’, and this demon wasn’t short on beauty. As an addition, her hair was as pure white as a lily. It was the perfect fit for someone who’d come to mean so much to him.” -Pulling out a reflective metal tin, he leaned towards the demon and held it to her so she could see in it.-

Yurika: -Her jaw dropped a little as a smile replaced the childish expression, her eyes soft and slightly damp with his words. She was unaware of just how much meaning her name had or even where it’d come from. To think, this is where it came from, who it came from, and its reason for being. How could she give that up?- “Hmm?” -The curiosity and confusion returned as he held the mental tin up to her, peering into it and only seeing herself but not quite understanding the point.- “What’s this about?”

Borei: -He grinned a bit, actually pleased that she’d asked as he began to explain. Metaphors were a big thing for the two of them, and a metaphor through actions spoke louder than any normal metaphor.- “I wanted you to take a good look at my lily white surprise and see just what I had to dote on so much.” 

Yurika: -His words weren’t exactly what she’d expected. Her expression turning from that of confusion and curiosity to shock and a comforting smile. It was quite the eye-opener and definitely heart-warming.- “I..don’t really know what to say...but I believe you.” -She turned to look at him before leaning over to give him a wide hug, nuzzling him a little.-