LEWISTON, Maine — Sometimes in the wake of tragedy, it’s hard to find the right words to adequately express your emotions.
"I don’t know. I am just having a hard time understanding. I went for a long walk, and I am just trying to think positive things that we can [do to] heal from this if we all stay together," Lewiston resident MaryLou Harris said.
Harris didn’t know any of the victims of the mass shooting, but her heart was heavy nonetheless.
"My granddaughter’s best friend was in the bowling alley, so it’s been really bad. It really touched the family. All of this has touched everybody. We are a small community, pretty close-knit community," Harris said.
Harris painted a pumpkin with the words "Lewiston Strong" and dropped it off at Schmengees Bar and Grille. She made another with hearts and left it at the growing memorial outside Just-In-Time Recreation. She said it's a simple gesture to show her support and that she cares.
Those two locations—places of immense loss and sadness—are now quiet places of reflection for people like Harris.
"My heart… my heart is just healing. Just great sorrow for everybody. I just I just don’t know. I am just really sad," Harris said.
Dan Beazley traveled to Lewiston from Michigan where he runs a ministry. He stood outside the bowling alley for hours with a giant wooden cross. At times, he prayed with people who stopped by to pay their respects.
"Wherever people are hurting the most is where we take the cross, to spread a message of hope, healing, and love so that they know the healing can start," Beazley said.
Norma Boulet is a lifelong Mainer who stopped by both memorials to drop off a pumpkin too.
"We need more peace in the world and more closeness and just more love," Boulet said.