‘Kindness in another’s trouble’

The quiet community of Paradis is still in shock over the shooting death of 15-year-old Seth Veillon, allegedly by his father.

It’s a terrible loss and, while the investigation continues, we’re all trying to make sense out of what appears to be a senseless act of violence. Additionally, Veillon’s mother, Nicole, remains in critical condition from multiple gunshot wounds.

Those acquainted or close to the family spoke about good children and a mother who took care of them.

It’s a gut-wrenching experience to lose a child. Seth was young and promising. He was lost in a situation that leaves us questioning why.

For obvious reasons, we also struggle with understanding why something so horrible happens to good people. We’re bothered when people suffer undeservedly. It’s a sign of our humanity in an often unjust world to want to help wherever we can in a painful circumstance.

Often, all we can do is make peace with this suffering and try to find ways to help.

In St. Charles Parish, the Veillons’ family, friends and those who are the Good Samaritans who rise to the need have already started finding those ways for a family that needs this help.

This comes shortly after the Destrehan apartment fire where local people, not only aided the residents who lost their homes, but also helped rescue them by banging on their doors and alerting them.

It’s also times like these when I think about a dear friend who used to quote Australian poet Adam Lindsay Gordon in these times.

“Life is mostly froth and bubble,

Two things stand like stone,

Kindness in another’s trouble,

Courage in your own.”