Great Britain

I wish someone could tell the beautiful young people in Great Britain to have courage. 

It's funny, I read the result of the vote, and I listened to your government members make their statements and share their reactions. But all I could think was, how are the people? Are you ok? How are you taking the news? 

And I've seen your heartbreak. It fills my social media feeds. I've read your comments, and posts, as you candidly share your thoughts and disbelief. I don't know why my heart goes out to you. Or why I can't stop thinking about you. There is something aching in my heart for you. 

I have to tell you, I so believe in you, and in your country. You are intelligent, capable people. You can do this.

I know I'm just an American. And you can say it's none of my business. I just wish that in your passionate quest for freedom and future that you could see this with an open mind.

I wish you could see the possibilities, not the limitations.

I wish you could see the hope, not the disappointment.

I wish you could see a bright future, not a broken one.

I wish you could see the excitement, not the devastation.

I wish you could see courage, not fear.
I wish you could see a beginning, not an end.

Forgive me, I see things different than most. I see the world in endless possibility. And the warrior in my spirit will always fight for freedom to make my own choices, not to have them decided for me. 

I know it's scary, the future you see now. And my heart aches for you.

I know what it is to be in a country with a broken political system, as you may well know. 

I hope you can be encouraged. You've never seen a Great Britain without the EU. It's entirely possible you'll be an even Greater Britain now.

Instead of rules decided for you, you can help make the rules. You can determine who you are. And that's infinitely exciting.

I've been to your country. I've sat in your pubs and looked out at the rain with you. I spoken to you on street corners and in shops. We shared ideas on politics and world issues. You welcomed me into your country, into your city, with smiles. You're wonderful people. Beautiful people.

I don't believe for a second you'll be limited by this referendum. I believe this is a catalyst to a greater future than you can imagine.

Either way, whatever you choose, I love you. 

And I'll pray.

-your American friend

Orlando

We have different view points. We might not vote the same way, or love the same things. We have different personalities. We're passionate about different things. You're good at one thing, I'm good at something else. You might believe one thing, I believe something else. We have different jobs, in different cities. Our skin are different colors. We have different families.You might have brothers, I have a sister. 
Maybe you like cats, I like dogs. Maybe you like blue, I like green. Maybe your hair is brown, mine is red.
You live in Orlando, and I live in Tucson.
But you laugh, and so do I.
You cry, and so do I.
You get hurt, and so do I.
You feel pain, and so do I.
You love, and so do I.
You have a purpose, and so do I.
We're different, but we're the same.
I believe we're made and loved by the same Person. You might not, and that's ok. That's not the point.
We're different but the same.

I can't accept what happened last night in your city. To your friends, your family. To you.
It doesn't matter where it happened. Because no matter where it happened, the victims are PEOPLE.
People who laugh and cry and think and dream. People who have a purpose, a calling, and an eternal destiny. People who ARE LOVED by the Eternal Father.
People who matter.

Sorry isn't enough. There's not a word big enough. I can't seem to describe what's in my heart.
But it's broken with you. I wish I could be there. I would hold your hand. I would hug you or cry with you. Or just sit in silence with you because there's probably nothing to say.

I am praying for you.
I don't know your names or your ages. I don't know your personality type or what you do for a living.
It doesn't matter.
We're people.
We're different, but the same.
And I love you.