Prayers for Omaha

The tragedy in Omaha hits a bit closer to home than any of us may want to think about. We take for granted the freedom and normally peaceful existence we have here in the Midwest.

I don't have enough words of comfort for those families who lost loved ones. Loved ones who just went to work or to shop that day and didn't get to come home.

Most of us take for granted our safety and usually don't live in any type of fear. Thank God for that. But as all the details continue to emerge from this incident, I would hope that the innocent victims are the ones who get the most media attention but with respect enough for their families to be given the appropriate amount of grieving space and time.

Keeping those other survivors of this incident in your thoughts and prayers would not hurt either. There were undoubtedly so many people affected by this - the Von Maur employees, the employees at the other mall stores, the shoppers in the mall, the family members who had loved ones or friends working or shopping at the mall that day. Keep those law enforcement and emergency medical professionals who responded in your thoughts and prayers as well. It has been a tough time for our neighbors in Omaha.