Normally when I converse with people, a random song comes to my mind and I quote a portion of the lyrics to see if anyone will get it.  Most people do.  I heard a song in my car the other day which helped me create this post.

I wanted to document something about the mass shooting, but certainly didn’t want to offend anyone especially those grieving.  Building 2 is all the way down at the other end of town and probably still has a memorial set up near it.  I assumed everyone would photograph that.  Then, I saw the signage from all the local businesses here in Virginia Beach along Shore Drive and Independence Boulevard.  As I drove my children back and forth to summer camps and swim team practices, I noticed that businesses still, after 30 days, had their signage up supporting those affected by the mass shooting.  #VB Strong  What did that mean for someone like me, who thankfully, didn’t lose a family member?  And what did it mean for someone who did?

For me, it felt like support.  I looked at it as a positive light in a dark time shed upon us to let our city know that a particular small business was thinking of those affected.  I felt like we were a community coming together to say hey, we’re here and we’re thinking of you.

Then, I thought about those who lost a loved one.  Are they offended by the signs?  Did the signs make them feel supported in some way?  Was it just another hashtag in our city this time that perhaps could be insensitive?  I really don’t know because it’s never happened here and I haven’t asked.

I wanted to photograph the signage in my daily travels so that not only others could remember, but so that I could remember.  Years will go by and moments will happen and people will soon forget and heal.  My hope is that we all show kindness to others in any way we know how because you never know what someone is going through.  I also hope that laws will change to make everyone safer, and I’ll leave it at that.

Sweet Virginia Beach, named one of the best big cities to live in 2017 and again ranking in at second in 2018.  Along comes a mass shooting in, hashtag, our city.

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