Like most people, I felt sickened when I heard about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. I get news alerts on my phone when important things happen, and the first notification about the tragedy stated that at least 2 people were killed. I thought that was scary enough, until just a few minutes later, when the new death projection rose to 25 people. Every time I begin to think about how scared those little babies must have been, my eyes well up.
When Adam and I saw The Nutcracker ballet last weekend, there was a little girl sitting behind us, wearing a tutu and tiara. She kept whispering to her mom in her little Minnie Mouse voice, asking her what was going on in the show. I started to have this sinking feeling in my stomach, and I realized that I was thinking about little girls like her in that elementary school, wondering what was going on as one sick man walked into the school and just started shooting people. It doesn’t help to try to make sense of it or attempt to understand how someone could do such a thing. Anyone who goes on a shooting rampage and murders innocent people, especially children, is mentally ill. Most of us could never understand the logic of a very sick person like that.
My best friend is a teacher at an elementary school; my father an athletic director at a high school; my brother a teacher and coach at a high school, and thinking about this ever happening to them is unimaginable. School is supposed to be a safe place where kids learn, grow, and develop, not a place where we should be worried of things like this ever occurring.
I’ve read a few blogs who have declared today a ”Blog Day of Silence,” a moment of silence of sorts for bloggers to acknowledge the horrible events at Sandy Hook. It’s hard knowing that there’s nothing any of us can do about what has happened, but this sounded like a nice way to honor the adults and children that died, along with their grieving families and the community who are suffering so much. I hope that everyone takes the time to reflect on this horrible tragedy and think about the people they love. Hug them, kiss them, tell them you love them. Life can be cut way too short. Be grateful for the wonderful people you’re blessed to have in your life.
Leave a Reply