One year ago today was the longest and roughest day of my life. Up until July, 20th 2012, I thankfully never knew anyone involved in a mass shooting or major catastrophe. I guess I was naive in thinking it wouldn't happen to me and then it did. I woke up that morning and do what I always do, check my Twitter feed for the latest news and information before heading into work. What I saw I couldn't believe. My friend Jessica Ghawi (Redfield) was gunned down in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. I didn't know what to do or say at that moment. My heart sank and I lost my breath a little trying to make sense of something so senseless. All day she was the face of this shooting. CNN, Fox News, etc all started to tell her story, which in a way was comforting but was also too much to take at the same time. Let me tell you about my short time with Jessica.
Jess was just starting out, fresh out of college and so desperately wanted to be in the world of sports broadcasting. She had that drive and determination to make it and wouldn't take no for an answer. When I first was introduced to this beautiful, Texas redhead was via email. She covered the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL, that happened to be the affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes. We exchanged emails and tweets often, mostly about players coming up to Phoenix and going back down. We'd trade information on how the guys were doing, pretty much helping each other out. I think she became a Coyotes fan because of the interaction not only with me but a host of others and would have our backs during the beginnings of the ownership mess. Her and I talked a lot about that in the early stages of it. She then moved to Denver and started doing everything. Even if it was to tag along and hold a mic cord, she did it. Jess made a lot of friends in the media there and touched so many people. She is the definition of hard work pays off as she was starting to become what she always wanted to be professionally.
One event I can't shake is the fact she escaped a shooting in Toronto just months prior to the events in Aurora. I was watching it unfold in CNN when she started to tweet she was in that very same mall. I, along with others, helped her get to safety as authorities there get things under control. She was shaken, as most of us would be, by the situation and I was glad to help get her to a safe place. She later blogged about the events of that day in Toronto.
http://jessicaredfield.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/late-night-thoughts-on-the-eaton-center-shooting/
Then, a year ago overnight. She wanted to see the first showing of The Dark Night at a theater in Aurora. Some of her last Tweets before the shooting, she basically taunted everyone, ok writer Jesse Spector, that she was seeing the movie and YOU weren't. Again, fiery, lovable, funny Texas redhead that she was all the way until the end. A short time later she was gone.
Much has been made about how to avoid these terrorist-style events and there have been a couple since the Aurora tragedy. The school shooting in Connecticut and the bombing at the Boston Marathon come to mind. As with most cases, it's turned political. Too many guns, not enough guns, guns in the hands of crazy people all just words coming out of mouths. Is there a way to stop this kind of violence? I don't know. I think both sides of the issue have their points and their problems. I am pretty sure on this though, these things will continue regardless. I truly believe there is no way of stopping this, I'm sorry to say. I just hope I don't ever have to go through the emotion of losing someone in events like this again.
Jess, I miss you and think about you often. Even know I've been in this business for over 20 years now, you are still an inspiration to me and you fuel my drive to get better each and every day and I thank you for that gift.
I leave you with a smile. The video i'm posting is an interview she did while in San Antonio with Coyotes defenseman Chris Summers. Okay, it isn't an interview more than it is a gag reel of her. Heels on ice Jess, c'mon girl what did you think would happen..;)
Thanks and rest in peace my dear friend.
DZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY8l1gZTPoA
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