Sleeping with Bread: Shared Consolation

Last week, just after hitting "Publish" on my weekly Sleeping with Bread post, I noticed the headline referring to the shootings at Virginia Tech. Today, one week later, the students returned to school. There were several remembrances throughout the day, from a sweatshirt draped over the chair of an injured student to the release of 1,000 balloons.

Although I have personal desolations and consolations this week, I thought I would leave you with those shared in the comments of a post I wrote the next day. In it, I asked people to answer the question of what gives them consolation in times like this and what causes them desolation in times like this.

Here are their replies:

• At Tuesday, April 17, 2007 2:31:00 PM, chickenone said…

  I find desolation in the fact that if someone wants to reap so much death and destruction, they can't really be stopped until they've killed or maimed several people.
  
  I find consolation in the goodness of people who extend genuine sympathy and all kinds of support and assistance to the families of those killed.

• At Tuesday, April 17, 2007 4:01:00 PM, allrileyedup said…

  At times like this, I find desolation in the thought that I have brought my children into a world where things like this happen.
  
  At times like this, I find consolation in the hope that if I raise them right, my kids might help make the world a place where things like this won't happen.

• At Tuesday, April 17, 2007 4:40:00 PM, Aliki2006 said…

  I find terrible desolation in the fact that this world has become such a terrible place.
  
  I find consolation in the fact that it is still beautiful, even in the face of so much horror.

• At Tuesday, April 17, 2007 5:32:00 PM, Beck said…

  I find terrible desolation in the violent anarchy that seems to be creeping closer and closer.
  I find consolation in my faith, in my knowledge that so many other people want a good world too, in my family and friends.

• At Tuesday, April 17, 2007 5:38:00 PM, ECR said…

  I find desolation in the fact that nothing ever changes, and that destruction has befallen people since the beginning of time and will continue till the end.
  
  I find consolation in the fact that nothing ever changes, and that people are basically good.

Last week, like most of us, I felt a sense of loss and desolation in the tragedy of VA Tech, as well as the hostage situation at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. However, I took great consolation in the thoughts shared here. Thanks to all of you who shared your consolations and desolation with me.