Maine Mourning

Published by Kristin on October 27, 2023October 27, 2023

Those of you who have been readers over the years know I am a lifelong Mainer. Even if you are new here my site name pretty much gives it away….SimplifyMaine.  I was born here in Maine, grew up here, raised a family here and, in all probability, will take my last salty, coastal breath here.  I live just a few miles from the house I grew up in. My kids go to school on the same street that I did.  Many of the  parents of my kids friends are my own childhood friends.  There is a rich sense of community here where everyone knows  everyone and everyone looks out for one another. We feel safe here and protected from some of the “big city” problems.

All of this perceived “safety” went out the window on Wednesday when a gunman opened fire and carried out a mass shooting in the town of Lewiston.  Lewiston is about 40 minutes from my home.  I used to work in the neighboring town of Auburn.  I never in a million years believed something like this could happen here.  A man who never should have been carrying a gun carried out a horrific attack at a local bar and a bowling alley on youth night.  Let that sink in for a minute….good, Maine people enjoying time with friends and family senselessly executed by a madman.  It is unimaginable.

As of today this man still has not been caught. Schools are still closed as are many businesses while a statewide manhunt continues.  I am glued to the news just hoping this man is found before he can do even more damage and we can all begin the process of healing. I am just simply not sure how to feel safe again or, worse, how to put my kids at ease.  For now I am just trying to find ways to feel grateful and see the beauty outside my window. To recapture some of the security I have always felt here in my home state.  So today, I am trying for “normal”. We Mainers are tough….we get things done and we don’t let hate and fear run out lives . However, we do have big hearts and right now they are broken.

You can learn more from our local news channel here.  If you want to help families of the victims there are a number of GoFundMe fundraisers you can view here.