Happy Valentine’s Day, readers (or should I say reader), it has been a long time! I do hope to get back to some type of regular contribution to this blog so stay tuned to see how long it takes me to get back in the groove!

I simply want to share my sadness at the news that broke earlier today about Oscar Pistorius, inspiring Olympic and Paralympic athlete and humanitarian. While I typically do not idolize sports figures (and tend to mock those who do), the story of Pistorius’ arrest for the murder of his girlfriend, Reeve Steenkamp, was shocking. While media reports discuss a case of mistaken identity (related to the high crime rates and incidents of home invasion in South Africa), the police have steadfastly denied those rumors.

Mystery and confusion, mingled with shock, surrounds the story and we may never know the truth of what really happened. For me, however, the image of Pistorius being escorted by the police speaks volumes. I realize that the image may have been one quick second, chosen by the media to present to the world. The star’s demeanor, however, head down and hoody up, seems, for me, to diminish the chance that the shooting was indeed an accident instead of the alternative.

Last August, Pistorius inspired millions around the world as they watched his efforts in the London Olympics and learned his life story. Today, the millions ponder Pistorius’ fall from grace in only six short months.

To those who mourn the death of Reeva Steenkamp, an aspiring model and law school student, our deepest sympathy.