I'm A Jason Aldean Fan Trying To Process The Las Vegas Shooting | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Gun Control

I'm A Jason Aldean Fan Trying To Process The Las Vegas Shooting

That could have been me just months ago, and the only phrase that kept coming to mind this morning was, "my heart hurts."

678
I'm A Jason Aldean Fan Trying To Process The Las Vegas Shooting
Bri Prosser

When I woke up this morning, I saw headlines about a shooting at a festival featuring Jason Aldean.

As more details emerged, I found out that it is now the largest mass shooting in American history.

I scrolled past story after story, seeing videos of thousands of people getting down on the ground as shots rang out. I heard people screaming and assuring their loved ones they were ok.

I heard mothers sending videos to their children telling them they loved them if they didn't make it out of this alive. I saw celebrities and friends alike sending their condolences and prayers to those impacted by this senseless tragedy.

Because that's what it is. It is a senseless tragedy carried out as an act of domestic terrorism. I will not, however, give the name of the man who carried this out. How someone could have so much hate in their hearts is beyond me, but our hearts need to be focused elsewhere rather than hating him.

Instead, I will focus on the victims of this tragedy. I will pray for them and their families and loved ones who are being impacted. I will focus on their health, both mentally and physically, as they try to move past this and continue their lives.

This event, in particular, however, hit me harder and closer to home than most. In June, I was at a country music festival, just like those who were there last night. I danced with friends, I sang along to every song, I drank, I enjoyed myself, I escaped from the crazy world we live in for just a little while. The same things these people were trying to do.

The headliner on the last night was none other than Jason Aldean.

That could have been me just months ago, and the only phrase that kept coming to mind this morning was, "my heart hurts."

My heart hurts for those who were killed. My heart hurts for those who were wounded. My heart hurts for their families. My heart hurts for Jason Aldean, his band, his crew.

My heart hurts for those who were there last night. My heart hurts for the country music community. My heart hurts for our community as Americans.

I'm wary. I'm tired. I'm tired of waking up to this news every few months. I'm tired of wondering, "Where next?" I'm tired of my heart hurting. I'm tired of seeing the shooters' faces plastered everywhere. I'm tired of hearing the shooters' names. I'm tired of all of it.

But I will continue. I will continue going to concerts. I will continue celebrating with other fans. I will honor the memory of those who have lost their lives.

I will continue to live my life because that's the only thing we can do.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

5 Things To Do That Are Better Than Writing A Paper

Don't waste your time trying to write that paper when there are so many more interesting things you could be doing.

6298
computer keyboard
Unsplash

Writing a paper is never fun and is rarely rewarding. The writer's block, the page requirement, be specific, but don’t summarize, make sure you fixed any grammatical errors, did you even use spellcheck? and analyze, analyze, analyze.

Papers can be a major pain. They take up so much time and effort that by the end of the process you hate yourself and you hate the professor for making life so difficult. Questions of your existence start roaming in your mind. Am I even cut out for college if I can’t write a single paper? Am I even capable of taking care of myself if I lack the energy to open my laptop and start typing?

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons Why Sisters Are The Best

Who could be a better friend than your own sister?

3841
sisters
Taylor Hooper

I can barely remember back when I was the only child. Most would say it’s because it is extremely difficult to remember things as a toddler but I would say it's because I was bored until my sister came along. My mother always says how important the "sister bond" is and with every year that passes I realize how right she is. Instead of writing a novel about all of the wonderful things there are about having a sister I decided to list a few of them instead.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Adult

You're gonna make it after all.

4753
how to adult
Twitter

It is the time of our lives that we are beginning to enter the adult world and most of us, if not all of us, have no idea what we are doing. It's like starting a video game, but skipping the tutorial. We're all just running around aimlessly hoping we accidentally do something right that moves us along the right path. Now that graduation has just happened, or is right around the corner for some of us, it's time to start thinking about how we are going to take care of ourselves once we are on our own.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

7 Signs You're A Starbucks Addict

I'll be the first one to admit I'm addicted to Starbucks.

2779
drinking coffee
Tumblr

If you’re anything like me, you love a good cup of coffee. My coffee always comes from Starbucks; I refuse to drink it from anywhere else. Over the years, it’s become one of my biggest addictions. So, if you are aware that you’re a Starbucks addict as well, or maybe you need to check to see if you’re an addict, here are seven ways to tell.

Keep Reading...Show less
people  in library
Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash

College involves a whirlwind of emotions, whether it’s from the stress of an assignment (or twenty), or from fighting with your roommate. It can be overwhelming at times and it’s important to take a step a back and calmly think things over. Maybe gain some perspective. The following aren’t foolproof tips and may not apply to you, but I was able to find success with them (hope you do too!)

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments