Stacy Hanson

What I'd like people to remember about the Trolley Square shooting first anniversary is first how fragile life is and how quickly it can be taken away.

I'd like them to realize that it can happen to anyone, and the result (remember, the whole Trolley Square shooting lasted just 6 minutes) can change your life and the lives of those you love forever. That said, live every day. Don't just tell those close to you that you love them, show it. Make it the most important thing in your life.

Secondly, get involved in making your community a better, safer place, starting with your own family. Recognize mental-health issues and work to understand them. Take the initiative to find help in resolving them. There are resources out there. Don't just hope they'll go away, because left untreated, mental illness always gets worse.

Third, demand a higher level of responsibility from people who illegally sell assault weapons to minors, say they're sorry, and then get a slap on the wrist. Too many innocent people have died this year in campus/mall-type shootings. In fact, they've almost become in vogue. We need to realize that those who commit these crimes aren't gang-bangers or drug dealers, they're disenfranchised teenagers with violent histories left unchecked and ignored.

Finally, speaking from personal experience I can unequivocally say that as horrific and violent as incidents like the Trolley Square shooting are, there are many more good people in this world than there are bad. And to each of those many good people, please know that I'm honored to have had you in my life this past year, and I thank you, and that despite the pain, this past year has reaffirmed my belief that life is a wonderful gift.