A Tribute to Maine: What I Know to Be True
The past few days have been difficult to process as I watched my childhood home suffer. Even after processing a mass shooting in my husband’s hometown four years ago, I never imagined this would happen in mine. I felt the need to pause on my public health questions to address the grief and hope within this tragedy. I don’t want to address questions on public health policy for gun safety or anything that has a political lens right now. In fact, no matter which side of the gun laws you are on, this is not the time for a debate or education. I wish people on all sides would pause on their political lectures and allow a community to grieve for a moment.
On October 25, a man opened fire in a bowling alley and then a restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, my birth city. Not only was it where I was born, but one of my children was born two miles away from the bowling alley. I was lucky enough to have a season where I worked at Maine CDC, which allowed my children to have similar experiences to my childhood. Many of my family members and friends still live in Lewiston and in surrounding communities. If you read my previous blog on What is Public Health, the homeless shelter for which I would purchase supplies is located a mile down the street from the restaurant that was attacked.
Though I no longer live in Maine, this community and the people are still family, and my heart is shattered for the families who lost loved ones that night. My heart is broken for those who were injured and survived. My heart hurts for those who witnessed the trauma of that night firsthand. My heart aches for the State of Maine and all of the communities that had to shelter in place as they anxiously waited days for this tragic event to come to a close. My heart is sad for the suspect’s family as they process what they never dreamed imaginable.
Though my heart aches for my State, there are many things I know to be true there. The community is close-knit and caring. As I listened to several interviews from the victims’ family members, I couldn’t help but notice the common themes of compassion and forgiveness. Many of them described sadness for the suspect’s family, forgiveness for what had happened, and compassion toward them.
Compassion, resilience, and care are what come to mind when I picture the people of Maine. These are not just my biased thoughts, but I watched these characteristics arise as the victims’ families and community members shared their words of grief and dedication to help others. The people of Maine have a unique resilience and strength. They know how to bounce back from hardship and care for each other in the process. Mainers would give you the shirt off their backs if you were in need of one, even if they didn’t have another. The sense of unity is seen deep within sports, but also in community events and services for others. I believe that Maine will be seen right now, not for the tragic event, but for how the community forgives, how they are lifting each other up, and how they are growing stronger together. I believe they will be an example for other communities in pain.
I’ve been trying to process how one person could have the power to take 18 lives, cause trauma to so many others, and fill a state with so much fear as the police searched for the suspect. I’m grieved that one person could carry that much (negative) power over so many people. However, I can’t help but think of the opposite of that. I believe each person can rise up with hope and encourage and influence more people with good. I believe that we can use this moment to recognize the power we all have over our lives and the impact we have on others. I believe that if we all work to have a positive impact in our circles of influence, that the world would look very different. I believe we will continue to see this positive strength and love rise up in Mainers and impact others beyond the State. We will heal, grow, love, and never forget those who lost their lives on October 25, 2023.
Michael Deslauriers Jr.
Jason Walker
Peyton Brewer-Ross
Tricia Asselin
Robert Lucille Violette
Bill and Aaron Young
Ronald Morin
Joshua Seal
Arthur Strout
Maxx Hathaway
Stephen Vozzella
Thomas Conrad
Bryan MacFarlane
Joseph Walker
William Brackett
Keith Macneir
I want to acknowledge and thank the local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who bravely sacrificed so much to keep communities safe. I want to thank the first responders and healthcare workers who tirelessly cared for the wounded. And lastly, I want to thank the community members who cared and are caring for neighbors, checking in on each other, and praying for each other.
If you live in Maine and need mental health support, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) can be reached at 1-800-464-5767 (press #1), or if you are in crisis you can call or text 988. Central Maine Healthcare has resources for grief here. Many schools and churches also have counseling and resources prepared for those who need it.
I love you and am praying for you Maine!