Shakespeare did it best. His captivating
romance of two young lovers hooked me from the moment I read it. Romeo and
Juliet have by far passed any expectations he could have ever imagined for his
work. English teachers still promote it as required reading and movie stars are
still doing movies about it, but still it’s the same love story. Message? True
love never dies. That’s where I got my tag line for my book promo for Radiance:
Love after Death.
Every day, I read stories about love going
beyond life, as we know it and our own human understanding. Romeo was a
fictional character, but let me share three real life Romeo’s that not only
deeply loved their Juliet’s, but also sacrificed their lives in honor of that
love.
Jon had always enjoyed movies and this night he
was excited to take his girlfriend, Jansen Young to see a premier of his
favorite super hero. He never knew when he was purchasing their tickets that he
was experiencing his last moments on earth.
A short time later, he threw Jansen on the ground and eventually took a
bullet for her. He made sure that he kept her pushed out of the line of fire
and never left her side.
When the reign of bullets slowed, Young
attempted to pull him closer, to only find out he had been shot and mortally
wounded. Jon Blink was only 26 years old and had been planning to re-enlist in
the Navy. Though not on active duty at the time, he still died a hero just the
same, not for his county, but the woman he loved.
In another area of the same theater, Matt Mc Quinn had been looking
forward to a night out with his girlfriend, Samantha, and her brother Nick.
Anxiously, they quieted down as the movie started to play. Moments later, the
jarring sounds of rapid fire echoed through the air and as Matt and Nick both
shielded her with their own bodies, Matt took three fatal bullets. The last
thing his eyes saw was the woman he loved and cherished. His sacrifice gave her
the rest of her life, while he unselfishly never hesitated to give up his own.
Close by, Alex Tees, 24 years old,
sat with his girlfriend chatting and smiling as they had waited for the movie
to start. His advisers had always said he put his relationships and friends
first. They were more than right. Teves had earned a master's degree in
psychology as early as June. His future with Amanda was bright with plans for a
home and family. There was no time for hesitation as shots rang out through the
theater. No time to say good bye, no making plans for the future, or to speak
words of love. His future obliterated in
the span of brief seconds, seconds that would mark one of the worst tragedies
in Denver, Colorado history.
The Aurora theater massacre has
many stories of heroism besides those three brave men. The women they left
behind are always in my mind. I refuse to look at them with pain or sadness.
Their love for these men graced them with honor and respect that can never be
diminished with time or death and will last forever.
They were cherished, respected and loved deeply. They are shining stars of grace and dreams that’s pure and
untainted by the evil of this world.
So, Shakespeare, you have been dethroned with
your Romeo and your Juliet by three men named, Jon, Matt and Teves of our age
and time. To their families, I bestow upon you a word of honor and good
standing to them all. They are heroes not only to me, but the world.
As a writer, I think about love, write about
it and desperately seek it. My novel, Radiance: Love after Death is about
finding that kind of love. Yes, love me like that, Mr. Prince Charming. I know
you’re out there somewhere. I’m
waiting.
Bio: Debra Jayne East was born the oldest of six
girls, in Martinsville, Virginia. For as long as she could remember, she loved
to keep journals, write poetry and short stories.
She researched her family tree and suddenly she
understood why. Her distant relative, Violet Florence Martin was an Irish
author, born in 1862, who co-wrote a series of novels with cousin Edith
Somerville under the pen name of Martin Ross in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries.
After she encountered a near-death experience
during a routine surgery, she realized her time had come to follow her heart
and realize her calling to be a writer.
Her first novel, Radiance: Love after XOXO
Publishing released Death in June of last year. Debra lives in North Carolina
close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoys photography, volunteering and
spending time with her family. Her next book, Crimson Snow, her new paranormal
romance, will be released later this year.
Social
Media and Contact Info:
Debra Jayne East
XOXO Publishing: http://t.co/skrRzpQD
youtube: http://youtu.be/ql0IO8irank
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