Oct. 2, 2006, Nickel Mines, PA: Deranged gunman Charles Roberts entered a one room Amish schoolhouse and shot 10 little girls. Five died. Roberts then killed himself.
The Wikipedia article on this incident includes the following report of the Amish community's response:
<<<< A Roberts family spokesman said an Amish neighbor comforted the Roberts family hours after the shooting and extended forgiveness to them. Amish community members visited and comforted Roberts' widow, parents, and parents-in-law. One Amish man held Roberts' sobbing father in his arms, reportedly for as long as an hour, to comfort him. The Amish have also set up a charitable fund for the family of the shooter. About 30 members of the Amish community attended Roberts' funeral, and Marie Roberts, the widow of the killer, was one of the few outsiders invited to the funeral of one of the victims. Marie Roberts wrote an open letter to her Amish neighbors thanking them for their forgiveness, grace, and mercy. She wrote, "Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need. Gifts you've given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe. Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this we sincerely thank you." >>>>
For the past three years I have often returned to this story with thanksgiving (and a lump in my throat) for the peace it provides in moments of anguish.
So long as there are people like these good Amish folks to cast light in this world, despair is not an option.
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