This morning I woke up to the news of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy. It is so unfathomable, I couldn't help but cry (a lot) for the children, the parents, the lives lost, and the survivors.
But the day wore on, and couldn't just sit in bed and cry for these children. I had to get up. I went to Paprika's kindergarten class, where I was volunteering for the day. The children looked even more beautiful and precious than they normally do. Their little innocent faces beamed as they learned their songs for the Winter Sing. They chased each other on the playground and rode tricycles. They swapped lunches. A few of the kids got rowdy and I had to shush them as we were counting bears on our worksheets.
It struck me that kindergarten is an especially sacred place. These children are so exquisitely innocent and pure...full of promise, full of life. Babies, really.
I am sure over the next few days there will be a lot of discourse about gun control, what to tell our children, details about the shooter, and stories of the victims and their families. It is all too heartbreaking to bear.
It's eleven days until Christmas, and these families are broken. Their lives - their holidays - their world as we know it will never be the same. In a few weeks, the media will move on. But these families will bear this loss every day for the rest of their lives. Their memories will be framed Before Sandy Hook and After Sandy Hook. It's not just the children who have lost their innocence...everything has changed.
I know folks are saying to hold your babies tighter today, and I know that is right. But, as we sort out the grief and loss associated with this tragedy, I think we need to pause and consider how this tragedy happened in the first place. How a sacred place was so easily violated by a madman.
Anger is rising in me, grief, heartbreak, tears, loss, and the futile ache of powerlessness. Right now I just want to be silent and pray for those precious babies and their parents. What more can I do? Let's remember the victims. And, once this shock has worn off a bit, let's actually do something to change our country so this never happens again. Never. Ever. Again. Amen.
Posts
2 comments:
Amen! I cannot stop thinking about these families and this horrific tragedy they are experiencing. But also, what's next, what does the future hold for my child in this regard. What can we do to prevent this from happening again and America's violence in general. So disheartening.
This tragedy has weighed so heavy on my heart. At first I thought I didn't have words, but seeing you and others write reminded me that writing about it is one way I can help remember, cry, and pray with them.
Post a Comment