A broken child, suffering the loss of the one she loved. She didn't understand. He was everything to her. What was the point of going on without him? The others in her life would get over her eventually. The pain in the girl's chest felt far greater than anything her loved ones would have felt after she was gone.

She was going to do it, she decided. But her thoughts went to the future, and what would happen after she left this life. Her faith told her it would not be nothing like she had hoped, but instead an eternity determined by her actions. The thought of living forever sounded exhausting to her. So she kept going in the hope that everything would be okay.

That girl is me. And it did turn out okay. I'm married now, & no one makes me happier than he does, the joy bursting from within me impossible to contain. We're adopting soon. I remain strong in my faith, grateful for the life it has saved. I wish the girl I used to be could see me now. I wonder what she would think.

If our world was a world of love, we would have no need for this debate. Make sure the others in your life know they are loved. The difference between being loved and knowing you are a valued human being is so big we have allowed a place in our society for people who think it's okay to kill innocent children. Reach out to your neighbors, family, friends, students, teachers, peers. Anyone and everyone. If everyone is a valued part of their society, they will not feel the need to lash out. Do your part by loving the unlovable. You never know what thoughts are in the back of their minds.

Why do we have to use words, rather than simply knowing that every human being deserves the right to a lovely life? Why do we have to use words, when deep inside we know rude remarks are wrong? Why do we have to use words, rather than accepting common sense? Why do we have to use words, when instead we could just exist in peace?