Tragedy struck Minnesota when politically motivated violence left State Senator John Hoffman and his wife severely wounded, and former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert dead. Yet amid this darkness, remarkable stories of compassion and resilience emerged.
The Hoffmans and Hortmans exemplified lives dedicated to service. John advocated tirelessly for families with disabled children and early childhood education, while Yvette brightened countless lives as a kindergarten paraprofessional. Melissa carried the Prayer of St. Francis in her wallet—"Where there is hatred, let me sow love"—words that guided her public service. The Hortmans volunteered training service dogs for people with disabilities and veterans with PTSD, showing their commitment to helping others extended far beyond political office.
Most profound was the response from the Hortman children, Sophie and Colin. Instead of anger, they honored their parents with suggestions that anyone could follow: plant trees, visit parks, pet dogs, share dad jokes, bake for others, or stand up for justice. Their words, "Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear," remind us that kindness persists even in our darkest moments. When tragedy makes us question humanity's goodness, these examples prove that compassion continues to work quietly every day, sometimes obscured but never extinguished by ugliness.
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