QOD: Write a letter to a mass murderer.

Dear Ronnie,

Your mom told me about your new employment, and I simply had to write to beg you to reconsider what you’re doing with your life. Please don’t cast my advice aside because I’m a practicing Buddhist. Life is sacred—it truly is, no matter what your religious stance.

Think of the many lives you’ve already taken, perhaps without a thought of their suffering (I hope you haven’t taken satisfaction in viewing their writhing last gasps). Life is so brief, perhaps you imagine it doesn’t matter, but every moment of experience is invaluable for each and every one of us.

I think often of the sweet child you once were; ah, if only you could recapture the loving innocence of that darling boy.

Perhaps your choice is based entirely upon the money you’re paid. Palaces of silver, dear heart, can never atone for stamping out so much life. Plus, your mother told me you almost exclusively use poison, which historically is a woman’s weapon, and thus doubly base for you, not to mention the danger to your own sweet self simply handling so much deadliness.

Wouldn’t you prefer to be a librarian? Or if that isn’t adventurous enough for you, why not be a fireman? Anything, anything, my darling, would be better than exterminating your lowly brethren. I know you don’t believe in reincarnation, but consider how you’d feel if you were born to an unlucky situation—a rat in a high rise, a cockroach in a kitchen—and someone else was determined to end you!

Karmically yours,
Aunt Sylvia