…our world.

Where we endure these endless events of senseless violence and death until they fade away while ignoring the fact we are mere moments away from the next one.

Where people gathered at an educational institution formed for the purposes of solving the problems of the world become the victims of one of our most pressing issues, gun violence.

Where survivors will bear their scars for the rest of their lives.

Where the victims will be buried along with their dreams, aspirations, and potential.

Where families will endure an unimaginable loss.

Where first responders will bear the nightmares we send them so often to confront on our behalf.

Where people who have no idea what to do offer sincere but ineffectual prayers.

Where the initial reaction of horror and sadness will soon be overshadowed by the entrenched interests of those unwilling to even consider a solution to the problem if it might affect their own selfish and misplaced choices.

Where the politicians will pay lip service in front of the cameras, then retreat into inaction when the news cycle moves on.

Where we have come to accept that this story will be repeated, again and again, and we will not even consider finding a way to prevent it.

So this is…our world.