Most of us agree that the positive aspects of living in a small, close-knit community like ours in Western Tidewater far outweigh the negative ones.

Certainly, small-town life presents its challenges; local politics become very personal, oftentimes pitting friend against friend and neighbor against neighbor.

Controversial issues, such as taxes and funding for our schools and law enforcement agencies, become heated and intense. Opposing sides of an issue usually include friends and family members. There have been many awkward social gatherings and family get-togethers as a result. Yet in the end what makes living and working in this type of environment worthwhile is that, while we may be divided on certain issues, the sense of community and togetherness we share ultimately allows us put aside our personal differences when times call for unity and togetherness.

The atrocities that occurred in Carrsville this past week call for such.

Many of our readers — as well as the staff here at The Tidewater News — either know or are in some way connected to a member of the Joyner family. We stand aghast at the reality that an event so heinous and so brutal would unfold right here in our own back yard. We grieve with, and for, the family and their friends whose lives have been forever changed in such an unimaginable way.

Our thoughts and prayers, and those of an entire community, go out to them in their time of need.