Seven lives were lost in West Texas Saturday when a person (I won't call him a man) decided to go on a shooting rampage after refusing to cooperate with a routine traffic stop. There was no rhyme or reason to what this monster did. He simply sought to harm.

The more this happens, the harder it becomes for me to stave off despair. Though it's more difficult to do each time, I look for a light in the dark. I look for something that can inspire some semblance of faith in humanity.

I worry that this sentiment might cheapen the unspeakable tragedy that the victims and their families have experienced, and I hope that's not what I convey when I share the story of 17-month-old Anderson Davis.

Anderson and her twin brother were riding in the backseat of their parents' SUV when the attacker fired a single shot at their vehicle. KOSA-TV reports that the girl was struck in the face, with some shrapnel hitting her chest as well. Thankfully she survived with the help of off-duty paramedics who happened to be nearby and rushed in to help as Anderson's family desperately tried to get on the phone with 911.

The family had recently met these paramedics during a trip to a local fire station. I have to think that even while living through a nightmare like that, it was some comfort to the girl and her family to see the familiar faces of people whose job is to save lives.

CNN reports that Anderson is expected to make a full recovery. She suffered wounds to her lower lip, tongue, and teeth.



Anderson now has a full life ahead of her, and is hopefully young enough that she won't be haunted by vivid memories of this ordeal.

Meanwhile, another young girl with an entire life ahead of her wasn't so fortunate. The AP reports that 15-year-old Leilah Hernandez was at a car dealership with her brother who'd just bought a new truck when she was struck in the collarbone. She reportedly died in her brother's arms.

The AP also reports that 25-year-old Edwin Peregrino was fatally wounded while leaving his home to see what all the commotion was. Joseph Griffith, 40, was shot while waiting at a traffic light with his family. Mail carrier Mary Granados, whose truck was hijacked by the scumbag who did the shooting, was fatally injured.

The gunman was killed in a shoot-out with police. I don't care to mention his name.

There'll be plenty of heated debate over what we should do in the wake of yet another mass shooting in Texas, and I won't get into that here. I just hope anyone reading this is reminded that tomorrow isn't promised, and nothing could possibly be more important than letting your family and friends know you love them every day.

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