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How I Moved Forward From "The Deadliest Mass Shooting in Modern U.S History"

What Happened to Me, and How I Overcame It

By XXX XXXXXPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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Here's a personal reflection of an event, that has forever changed my life.

B A C K S T O R Y

A year and a half ago, my parents, and the majority or my family, made the decision of moving. They decided to move from a small town in California to Las Vegas, Nevada. I had the opportunity to attend a school near home, so that meant that I had to stay, essentially not being with my family. The transition has been tough, and at times extremely trembling.

Not being with your family, the people you connect with and do life with, is one of the hardest things that I have ever done.

Aside from the pain of not seeing my family or talking with my family so often, something else happened.

T H E M O M E N T

One morning during class, I received a text from a close friend asking, “Hey Adam, is everyone in your family okay?” I didn’t know what my friend meant, so I had to ask, “What are you talking about?” Then I read the words that left me shook for hours, days, and weeks to come.

“Adam, there was a shooting...”

What is now known as the, “DEADLIEST MASS SHOOTING IN MODERN US HISTORY” is unfortunately the event that has severely impacted my life. As of today, it’s been about two and a half months since this shooting.

When I found out what happened, I immediately tried to call my mom, my dad, and my brother. But I got nothing. No answer, no texts, no response, nothing.

T H A N K F U L N E S S

Hours later did I receive the most beautiful text message in the world, from my brother. Letting me know that everything is okay. Letting me know that everyone is safe, and out of harm’s way.

I’ve never been more thankful for anything else in my life, my family, their safety, everything. Words cannot describe the feeling or the warmness in my heart when I read received that message. Absolutely unreal.

B R O K E N N E S S

Everyone was safe, but not everything was okay. For the next few months, I was been completely distracted and unfocused. I couldn’t function, at all. All I wanted to do, was be in the presence of my family, but responsibilities with my church and my school made everything extremely difficult. I now know and realize that my church would have understood, and if I communicated this with my professors then I know that they would have supported me in some way. But I tried to do everything myself. I tried to pretend that everything was okay, and I attempted to act as if I wasn’t broken, but I was.

O V E R C O M I N G I T A L L

I can honestly say that, this was the hardest thing that I have ever had to overcome. I tried so hard, not to let this situation, this event, get the best of me, and for a really long time it looked like it did. I really didn't want this event, to define who I am, but again, it looked like it was.

As I tried to fix myself and move forward myself, I learned that I will never move past this, if I’m attempting to do everything alone. I needed my family. I needed to see them, connect with them, and make it absolutely clear that I love them with all my heart.

Through it all, I have come to a realization. Though I was broken, lost, unfocused, and weary. I made the decision of not letting any of those obstacles define who I am, because I didn't want to be defined by the obstacles I've been given, I want to be defined as the person who overcame them. I encourage you to do the same.

- P.S

Tomorrow is never promised. Tell your loved ones that you love them.

trauma
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XXX XXXXX

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