Worst Club Ever

I’ve been a member of the worst club ever for more than 30 years. When I joined, it was a much smaller group, and we were pretty quiet about our membership. Getting in was a challenge; it’s much easier to join today.

I don’t want the associated fear and pain and memories, but they come with my membership. It’s like a horrible association newsletter and you can’t unsubscribe.

There are no club dues. But it’s very costly. There are no meetings. But it’s always on my mind. There is no application. One minute, when you don’t expect it, you become a member.

I think about this group too often. When I’m walking outside alone at night. When my right knee hurts because it still doesn’t bend all the way.

When I hear news stories about so many new members of the worst club ever, I think about it.

Gun Violence Survivor Club

I joined the Gun Violence Survivor Club in my early 30s. I don’t want the associated fear and pain and memories, but they come with my membership. It’s like a horrible association newsletter and you can’t unsubscribe.

Still, as an adult, I had some mental skills that have helped me deal with this membership.

But a 9 or 10-year-old? They will have to deal with this shitty membership far longer than me. And many of them carry survivor guilt, or they saw their friends and classmates get shot too. I can’t imagine growing up with that memory.

Because the club is getting bigger, we all have tools to help survivors deal with their membership. Please, be one of those helpful people.

Gun violence survivors come in all shapes, sizes, colors and ages. But mostly, they’re American.