At times like these there aren't really words that can comfort or make sense of things. But there is something that those of us left behind can do. Stand up and don't be afraid.
Early in "Batman Begins" Thomas Wayne says to Bruce "Why do we fall down Bruce? To get back up."
That is how Batman lives his life, particularly in "The Dark Knight Rises." So maybe right now we should take our cues from Batman and his fellow superheroes and stand up to fear.
No matter what comic or movie they enjoy fans can agree the purpose of superheroes (Batman especially) is to inspire and show the world that it's not how you fall, it's how you get back up.
I've often been asked why I love heroes and comic books so much. The answer is because they represent the best of us. They are who we would like to be given the opportunity. They use their tragedies and fears for a better purpose.
Superman could have easily conquered the world with his powers, but he chooses to save it. Tony Stark builds the ultimate weapon and uses it to help others. And batman could have just been a billionaire playboy who spends his trust fund and never gets over his parents' death, but....he stood up
Batman is the story of a young boy who took the worst tragedy of his life and turned it into the inspiration to become a hero. Gotham City is a horrible place, and yet Bruce never stops believing it can be saved.
Every time The Joker breaks out of Arkham and terrorizes Gotham, Batman reminds them that one crazy criminal will not break his city.
So as corny as it may sound, it's time for us to remember that one disturbed individual does not influence how we live our lives. He committed a horrific crime that he will be punished for.
The grieving will take awhile, perhaps forever for some, but right now it's up to the rest of us to support the victims and their families and show them that it's safe to get back up, we've got their backs.
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