What a strange day it’s been. Everything started off normally. I had my breakfast and coffee, grabbed my coupons and list, and headed out to shop. CVS went great, and then I heard the news about the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh.
You guys, it literally shredded me. I started sobbing in the car and it took 10 minutes to calm down enough to drive home. It scared and shocked me so much, thinking of those folks, terrorized and murdered in a house of worship that should be the ultimate place of refuge.
Almost every Jewish family I know has a tie to Pennsylvania. Multiple members of my own family used to lived in Philadelphia. I have been all through the state and it’s heartbreaking to think of such suffering in a place I know and love! Pittsburgh has a bad reputation, but it’s actually a really cool place, full of wonder people, and Squirrel Hill neighborhood, in particular, is so vibrant.
Obviously, I lost my motivation to shop afterwards. What was supposed to be a full day of deals never happened, but I’m not complaining. We should all be thankful for what we do have—our families, our friends, love, faith, even life itself. Tragedies are a time to focus on our priorities.
There will be a time for justice. The monster who did this will be punished. But right now, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. In this moment, I need an opportunity to process the enormity of the situation before I can make sense of what’s happened.
Though it seems silly to discuss something as trivial as couponing, it is Saturday, life must be lived, and it’s ok to discuss normal things even when we’re in pain. That’s not insensitive, it’s just a distraction. I am not, for one second, trying to undermine or minimize such a tragedy.
CVS:
Kleenex, 160-ct box, sale price $1.49. I used a $1.00 store coupon. Total: $0.49.
CVS Health Stomach Relief, regular price $3.29. I used a $3.00 store coupon. Total: $0.29. (This is a generic version of Pepto Bismol, which I like to have on hand.)
CVS Health Aspirin, regular price $3.09. I used a $3.00 store coupon. Total: $0.09. (100 tablets that should last us forever.)
Maybelline eye shadow, regular price $3.99. I stacked a $1.00 store coupon with a $2.00 store coupon. Total: $0.99.
Anyone is welcome to comment about the shooting, or coupons, or whatever strikes your fancy. This is such a difficult time; just do whatever you feel like and we’ll try to support each other in our grief.
I met my husband at the Pittsburgh airport in the USAir terminal. We lived across the country from each other and I’ve always considered it fate bringing us together. That was in 2000. We are still happy, and have 4 boys. I am praying for everyone involved. No more killing of innocents.
OMG, I know that terminal, airport, and airline! I flew the Boston-Pittsburgh-Florida flights sooooooo many times! Brings back a lot of memories. It’s good to think of nice things even during sad moments. It sounds like you have a wonderful family and that’s what life is all about.
Like you, I am overwhelmed by grief and sadness right now. How can this be happening? The level of anti-Semitism in this country has risen sharply and I for one am very worried.
The “how” part is because of evil, which has always existed–unfortunately. The rise in hatred is what I find most confusing. We’re supposed to be more aware and more tolerant than ever as a society yet hate crimes are exploding. There seems to be an incredible level of disconnect with certain groups that are alienated, angry and alone. Shooters, mail bombers—what is wrong with people’s hearts and minds? Where is their compassion and humanity? Just unreal.
We are seriously considering making Aliyah. I don’t feel safe in America anymore after multiple threats against our shul and the Jewish pre-school. The local police are good and they do their best, but only in Israel can we truly be welcome.
I completely understand how you feel. The fear is very real. I love Israel with all my heart and soul, but I love America just as much. Personally, I am not willing to give up and move. There is nothing wrong with Aliyah, of course! It’s wonderful for those who feel it’s the right decision for them. Everyone in the Jewish community is on edge right now. Look at what’s happening in Europe. There is danger everywhere. I thank God that Israel is there for anyone in need!
I am not Jewish and it shames me that a non-Jew has done this. I feel so impotent—there is nothing that I can do to help or to change this hateful, gun happy culture. And the idea that it makes Jews feel less safe in a country that should be seen as a shelter for religions/cultures/races that are persecuted elsewhere is abhorrent to me. And then you have a president somewhat blaming the congregants by saying this might have turned out differently if the synagogue had hired armed guards! Never mind that the gunman wounded three police officers who responded to the situation. Anyway, I wish I had something helpful to say because it seems so anemic to say that there are many non-Jews standing beside you in horror and solidarity.
Trump has essentially said that it’s the fault of the synagogue and of the victims that they were killed. If only the rabbi had been carrying an AR-15, right? How sick and bigoted and thoughtless can anyone be?
Blaming the victims, no matter what the crime, is horrible and wrong! That’s like asking a rape victim why she was wearing a short skirt. I truly don’t see how anyone could blame the Tree of Life. They had no way to anticipate it. Could armed security have helped? Possibly. I would support it, but that doesn’t mean it’s someone’s fault, not at all. Gosh, that’s just wicked to even think so cruelly.
The response from Christians, and Muslims, and Hindus, and every other faith has been so incredibly warm, loving, and amazing! Yes, one evil monster committed a crime, but the reaction from good people, all around the world, has been overwhelmingly supportive. The Jewish community has a lot to worry about, yes, but the help from other religions gives me hope. If 99% of people are standing with Tree of Life, that wicked 1 % is so small and so sick, they don’t represent how the rest of us feel. Knowing that you care, that you’re willing to stand with the Jewish community, means so much to me and I thank you for that. Your friendship, and the friendship of good people like you, will help everyone to heal.
It was very sad news and difficult to process. I will never understand why people do the unspeakable things they do.
Same here. It’s impossible for rational people to understand pure evil. That will never make sense because it’s so wrong.