The article I had planned for this morning will have to wait for another day. I apologize from deviating from our normal schedule, but last night’s events warrant acknowledgement.
Not including myself, this little corner of the Internet we’ve built is inhabited by an incredible amount of talent. More incredible, in my opinion at least, is that nearly half of that talent comes from Lafayette, LA.
Ask any one of them, and they will tell you that this town of only about 200,000 often feels even smaller than that. They would also tell you that it is hard to live here for any amount of time without falling in love with it.
There is just something special about Lafayette that I’ve struggled my entire life to identify.
I’ve often thought it was the food. We have amazing food. Or maybe it’s the nightlife with the endless stream of raucous bars and live music.
But after last night, I realize that the most special thing about Lafayette is the people.
I’ve always wondered how a community handles a tragedy like this, and sadly, now I know. It starts with disbelief. Then you almost write it off as just another piece of bad news before the reality sets in. Next comes fear, not for you own safety, but from the knowledge that this will impact you directly.
But finally a strange thing happens. Just as the real details begin to make their way out, you begin to feel pride. It’s not some new pride, but an old pride. One that was always there. It’s pride derived specifically from the knowledge that your neighbors and friends and family are stronger than this.
I didn’t need to see the video of police running toward gunshots. I didn’t have to be told that a school teacher had the wherewithal to not only take a bullet for a friend, but then pull the fire alarm and alert the rest of the building. I knew these things long before they happened because I know the character of this town.
But I also didn’t need to be told that someone I knew was on that theater. In the same row.
On behalf of the entire Lafayette community, thank you all for the thoughts and prayers. And on behalf of College AD, thank you for making us a small part of your life, even if it’s just for a few minutes a week.
Now go tell somebody you love them. We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming next week.
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