Hello friends…

2018 is upon us and with every new year new beginnings emerge from the ashes of our losses of years past… and loss we most certainly have endured.

I meant to publish this post sooner, but the events of the past weekend left me, along with so many others, reeling. I no longer knew what to say or let alone how to say it. The coming of a new year is supposed to be about hope, resurgence, new beginnings, etc. But I couldn’t find the words to reflect that. All I kept thinking about were all those, young and old, who would not get to experience it. Either for the first time or once again. Whether by choice, or not. I didn’t want to make this this a somber post but I didn’t feel right not addressing, or at the very least acknowledging, the tragedy the Workers’ Comp industry suffered last Friday.

First, let me start by saying my thoughts and prayers are with the staff and loved ones of Perona, Langer, Beck, Serbin and Harrison. May Major Langer rest in peace and his family heal from their sudden tragic loss and I pray that Ronald Beck is well on his way to a full and speedy recovery, so that he may return to living life with his loved ones. My heart is broken and I cannot imagine what they, their staff and partners experienced first hand. Or the tremendous loss they must all be feeling. Not only of one of their own, but also the loss of what was presumably a safe work environment. Their calm, maybe not always peaceful, but certainly welcome workplace reality was suddenly shattered and replaced by the vivid reality of one of our worst nightmares. One that so many have experienced over the last decade or so; and that alone is tragic.

I do also want send my prayers and thoughts to the family of John Mendoza. I do not excuse nor accept his actions, but I truly hope that if nothing else, his family finds peace and knows they are not to blame, nor should they be held accountable.

I for one, am very conflicted in my emotions when I think about the whys. I’m shocked, confused, hurt, devastated and angry all at once. I can’t, nor do I want to delve into heresy or possible reasons for his actions. No one, except him, can know what was going on in his head. I, again can only imagine, but even then I still cannot fathom reaching that point. I only wish he had been able to talk to someone who could have helped and prevented this tragedy.

I am deeply saddened and so very sorry to all involved. Please know you are not alone and we all stand with you.

However, much like the phoenix, with every new year, comes new beginnings as a result of our previous losses. While the scars of past wounds may remain, we must remember that each and every one of them has taught us something important and made us that much stronger. We have to forge ahead and keep a hopeful heart.

With that, I bid 2017 a wistful farewell, and wish you all a happier, healthier and strengthening new year.

God bless and best wishes to a better 2018…

– Laura Wilson