I'm sure all of you are aware of the horrible news coming from Norway in recent days. As the number of deaths climbed and details emerged the sadness only grew. It's bad enough that the downtown in Oslo was bombed but the targeting of teens, who were on an island with no ready escape, who were lured close to a killer posing as a protector, is just beyond comprehension.
As soon as I read the news online I sent an email to Renny BA and his wife, Diane CA since I know they both work in the area that was bombed. They were on vacation in Sweden and so they were safe. Renny's blog focus is to share the culture of Norway and I have learned so much from him over the years. He does a wonderful job representing his nation to the world. In the aftermath of this terrible event he has written a piece about the loss of innocence in Norway. In it he quotes one of the surviving youth as saying, “You will not destroy us. You will not destroy our democracy or our ideals for a better world”.
In his own comment section he responds to another with his own remark, "The only way to “fight” this terror is to respond with respect, care and love. One of the young survivors from the island attack has expressed this in an excellent way:
“If one man can show so much hate, think how much love we can show together.“
As Norway grieves, I pray for the comfort of the families of victims, and that their nation succeeds in preserving its example of an open and peaceful society. With young people displaying wisdom and resolve such as Renny shares, I believe there is hope.
