Mother Emanuel

Mother Emanuel AME, Calhoun St., Charleston, SC  

I still find myself steering my downtown walks past Mother Emanuel and I read the notes left in front of the church where the terrible shooting was. Flowers are still being laid on the sidewalk and messages left on banners. People pause quietly and parents put their arms around children trying to find words to explain what happened. We can't.

Heartbreak in Charleston

 

I've been in Canada visiting my father and family and learned of this unbelievable tragedy in Charleston on twitter. My heart is broken for my city and for the families and friends of the nine church members who had their lives taken last night during their prayer service.

I paid for my $5 ear buds on the flight home to listen to the news updates all the way home. We were surrounded on the trip by members of the national media and the overhead bins filled with video cameras.

This video is of the pastor who was murdered last night. He is explaining the important history of the Emanuel AME Church. What a lovely gentleman. What a terrible loss. It's difficult to think of anything else right now.