Tanya Fox on Jessica Redfield
Jessica (Redfield) Ghawi. (photo from @JessicaRedfield Twitter account)
The tragedy of any terrorist attack always lingers in our hearts and heads with a weight that is hard to describe. There is something terribly haunting about the innocence of people going about their day, interacting with friends and family and enjoying their lives, only to be brutally attacked by men whose sole purpose is to take lives in numbers. There is no personal connection, no narrative and no relationship. There is only death and evil, and hundreds or thousands of people whose lives are changed forever.
Yesterday’s shootings killed at least 12 people. Unfortunately I don’t know all of their names. I do know of Jessica Redfield, because she was part of a small community that myself and my colleagues include ourselves in; we are female sports writers. It would be a lie if I said that I don’t feel connected to her in some way. She was young, bright, passionate, motivated and talented. Her story echoes that of so many women across the country, and hers is an unthinkable fate. Today I mourn the unnecessary and brutal loss of life in Aurora, Colo., and I honor them and Jessica (Redfield) Ghawi with the beautiful words that she wrote only last month:
“I say all the time that every moment we have to live our life is a blessing. So often I have found myself taking it for granted. Every hug from a family member. Every laugh we share with friends. Even the times of solitude are all blessings.
Every second of every day is a gift. After Saturday evening, I know I truly understand how blessed I am for each second I am given.”
Check out Alice Cook and Arielle Aronson‘s take on the tragedy.
