Lives innumerable shine across our tiny world like stars; but the failing light of a single one can plunge us into darkness.
Don’t let it consume you.
Jared Barrows is well-loved. His special personality and strength inspired friends and family; they set him apart from the crowd. His death comes less than a week after the Virginia Tech tragedy, when students across the country – Plymouth too – came together to show our support.
Now we have to support each other. When Jessica Hamlyn passed away earlier this semester, it was an accident. Blame could be tossed around, but in the end, once the anger bubbled away into tears; anyone could see that it remained a tragic accident.
We don’t have that with Jared. Though the result may not have been intended, the action was – and that cuts to the core of the soul. That darkness, that human part of us that screams out for revenge, cries that it will not be satisfied with anything less. Rumors can fling back the gate of reason and release the beast inside – the ugly part of everyone – the part that took Jared away from us.
We must not succumb.
Remember Jared for who he was – a bright star in a midnight sky, graced with others who love him and hurt for him. Honor his memory and the wishes of his family, who hurt the most – they must not only face their darkness, but live with it. More than anyone, they ache for justice.
It exists, and we have to believe in it. Police and attorneys are working around the clock to see justice done; instead of criticizing let’s help, instead of blaming let’s support and instead of crying, let’s smile.
Violence becomes a whirlpool that pulls everyone in – to break the cycle requires heroic courage. Jared’s family has stepped up and we must follow their example – look around – at the students mourning their friend, at the ones who share the pain of someone they never even knew – we’re heroes too.
– The Clock Staff