Aaliyah sat at the back of a stage in front of a park filled with people. The crowd was broken up by fences, benches, trees, and the statue, among other amenities. The Oracle Church choir wore white-gold star-embroidered cassocks similar to hers. Her father was at the pulpit about to give his eulogy. To guard them, Knights armed with shock pikes stood on the ground, drones hovered in the sky, and above them all, God all-mighty watched over his domain.
At that moment, even the wind was silent.
Ezekiel took a breath and then started with a stern gaze toward his audience.
“Every head bowed, every eye closed. God, we thank you for this day. We thank you for the lives of those who are now asleep, the labor of those who are awake, and the love that keeps us together.
Good morning, Colchis. In all my life I have never seen this park so full as it is today, and I did, at first, wish that it were under better circumstances. Together, we are gathered in the bonds of tragedy—at least so it would seem. No. Pain is not enough to bring us together, it is compassion—your compassion, your love—that has brought you here today.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
It was the same on that day as well. When it seemed like any other day in this empty, lazy park. But the very moment there were those in need: my daughter—who I more than anyone else in the world am endlessly thankful for—among so many others did not hesitate to reach out there hand.
That readiness was not spontaneous, don’t be mistaken now. For each of them, not just the brave two women we recognize, for each firefighter, officer, technician in the field, each doctor and nurse in the hospital, down to bricks that were laid to build that hospital, each of them prepared for a time like that out of compassion that cannot stand for the pain of others. Perhaps it was innate; perhaps it was tinder lit by a spark. But thanks to them, that day, love won over pain.
That is not to say, you are wrong to grieve. Grieve and cry as much as any of you need to because that is a way to express love too. But I do humbly ask that you make this grief into the spark that lights your tinder. I ask that you form the fire in your heart to run with endurance along the path set for you. So long as every person does what they can to help one person, that would be enough to ensure that pain never overcomes us.
I know because I’ve seen it happen before. That is what gives me faith that it can happen again.”