15/09/2025
I have not yet been able to share my thoughts about Charlie, so I want to begin with the two photos that flank this post. Like so many others have described, I felt the crushing blow when I heard the news of his attack and have felt the wind knocked out of me since the news broke.
I was in first grade when President Kennedy was shot, and I remember the somber, crushing emotions that were experienced by my classmates. I was at a complete loss as to what was happening, because my home life during childhood was far less than ideal. I had no idea what was happening, or why the children in my class were weeping so uncontrollably.
The trajectory of my life had been set at the tender age of 5, and I was caught up in the river of poverty, isolation, and failure to thrive that became the hallmark of my life.
In 1994, Jesus extracted me from the toxic church of my childhood and planted me in the American behavioral health care system. As strangers began to unpack the details of my life, I was overcome with despair, shame, and devastation that led to several attempts to take my own life.
I eventually became homeless, but Jesus hovered tirelessly over my shattered heart and mind. I could feel His tangible presence as He led me through the long, dark journey of trauma recovery.
I know what it is to be a fatherless (and motherless) child, so my heart was crushed for Charlie’s wife and children.
October of this year will be the 30-year anniversary of my initial breakdown and hospitalization, so I am experiencing a full circle journey as I am processing the news of Charlie’s death. In the initial moments of the news, I was overcome with grief, sorrow, and a sense of loss that felt like the news was that of a blood relative.
In fact, Charlie is a blood relative, because like so many others who are processing this loss, we share in the glorious fact that we are one blood, one spirit, and each of us are part of the body of Christ and His church.
We DID lose our brother… but NOT FOREVER!!
I am a grandmother now and have worked hard to overcome the trauma and poverty of my childhood. Jesus has carried me through an intense recovery journey, and my inspiration for clinging to life after tragedy has been my own family. My oldest grandchild just turned 14, with two younger siblings at 7 and 5.
Survival has been the foundation of our lives, so political knowledge and awareness is not our family strong suite.
I was overjoyed when I learned about Turning Point, because I knew I had found the education my family needed, and Charlie’s work offered great hope for me to be able to address MY OWN lack of knowledge about the American political arena.
The early moments of the news felt like a devastating loss, but as the hours have dragged by, and we each seek to catch our breath…
It is plain to see that millions of people are catching the baton and will be running with the legacy that Charlie has left in our collective care.
It is also plain to see that Erika Kirk will be at the helm of the movement that has been accelerated by our shared loss. My heart and prayers go out to her and her children, family and personal friends of the Kirk family.
I for one, will be supporting their efforts to the best of my ability, and am grateful for their presence in my nation, and the impact they have had in my personal quest for recovery.
This is all I can share for the moment, but our nation, and our world are in my prayers. Jesus and I are both holding you close in our hearts, and I pray that you will find comfort as we continue our journey to collectively heal, and find our way forward.
With much love, appreciation, and many prayers for all of us.
Connie
