这是2007年6月18日星期一之后的早晨。您对查尔斯顿的朋友怎么说？言语似乎是空心的，人为的，但是您必须打电话。您会听到线条另一端的安静声音。在永远的沉默中，您知道他们确切地知道您要说的话，并且虔诚地说，谢谢。他们说：“是的，这太糟糕了，每个人仍然感到震惊。”但是他们必须跑步，他们将看到这一点或那个，并再次感谢您的思考。但是，等等，等等：“ ...还有兄弟姐妹，请祈祷，你会吗？为他们和他们的家人祈祷。”我们保证我们会的。这不是他们必须问的事情，但他们会对您的电话说同样的话。我们需要做。 It is a tradition, a very important and sacred tradition. It means we care about each other.
It is the morning after. We say that quiet prayer. You know the one: “Dear God, please take them home, please hold them tight. Let them know we will never forget them. God, let them know we will be there for their families and friends. God, if they had any unfinished business, let them know we got it and it ain’t heavy lifting. God, let them know we miss them already. God, let them know we love them always. God, help us take care of their families. God, tell them ... tell them we are so sorry we ....”
It is the morning after, and you have had a few calls already, all saying the same word: “unbelievable”-unbelievable tragedy, unbelievable grief for all the families, all the moms, all the sons and daughters, all the dads. Your wife or husband told your kids this morning you might be sad because you lost some friends. Your kids don’t say anything; they can speak to you with their eyes. They lower them slightly and blink. It sends a shudder through you, and your heart races. It means they love you and they know you love them and they honor those brave and beautiful friends you lost. Your mom calls. She knows. She asks quietly like only a mom can, “Are you alright? Do you need anything?” “No mom, I’m alright. It’s just unbelievable.”
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