It’s been a horrible week

The words of Murray Wise describe the pain felt by those who lost loved ones during Michael McLendon’s 24 miles of terror on Tuesday: “The 15 years I had with my son and the 18 years I had with Tracy were good, but I need more.“

Samson Mayor Clay King said what has been on everyone’s minds: “I don’t really know what words to use ... How did this happen? Why did it happen? I am just in shock.“

How does a community recover? We know McLendon was depressed and believed he had no hope in his life. He was upset with members of his family, and apparently, with people from former places of employment. But that still doesn’t explain why he gunned down 10 people in less than an hour. There are no reasons good enough for such an evil act.

How can a person put a gun to his mother’s head and kill her? How can he look in the face of a child and pull the trigger? The authorities have made assumptions as to why after going through more evidence, but nobody will ever really know why McLendon went on his murderous rampage.

A person doing something like that can’t have a conscience at all. Geneva Police Lt. Ricky Morgan described the killer after coming face to face with him: “He looked straight at me. His look was cold, callous …“

Cold and callous. Yes, that’s a good description of someone like McLendon.

Will the people of these small, rural towns ever recover? Yes, but not completely. How could they? Time does heal, but it can’t make people forget March 10, 2009.

Many of those hurting have said the prayers of others and leaning on their family and friends are the only things keeping them going. And those are the things that will help the people of Samson, Geneva and Kinston recover.

I like what a friend recently wrote in an e-mail when requesting prayer for her mother-in-law. After explaining her mother-in-law’s condition she wrote, “Just keep praying. The pastor said Sunday that it is not ’the least you can do,’ it is ’the most’ you can do.“

I agree, and that’s what we can do for those in these Geneva and Coffee county towns. Keep praying. There are also funds set up for people to contribute financially. If you are a friend to those who are burying their loved ones, stay by their sides. The toughest days are still ahead.

It’s been a horrible week. People are still in mourning and will continue to hurt after all of the funerals. It’s OK to hurt and cry. We have those emotions for a reason. Through the prayers of many, the passage of time, and the will to overcome brighter days are ahead.

Psalm 30:5 comes to mind: “… weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.“

Ken Tuck is the managing editor of the Dothan Eagle and regional editor of the Media General Alabama Newspaper Group. He can be reached at or 334-712-7960.