Today is a sad day for America. People everywhere are heartbroken to learn of yet ANOTHER horrific tragedy, 20 children and 6 adults killed in an elementary school mass shooting.
Just wanted to share a few interesting/insightful/heartfelt comments I read on FB this weekend....
"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world."
-- Mister (Fred) Rogers
"What a horrible tragedy...precious little lives and courageous extraordinary teachers. To honor all the victims, we MUST turn off the tv and quit giving these psychopaths reason to top one another. Watching every news clip will not bring back the victims. Start by teaching your children that life is hard and sometimes you may feel down and depressed. Lean on the ones you love. Do not turn to violence to solve problems."
--Molly Gruszka Kerckhoff
"I always re-tuck the kids in before I go to bed. Tonight I kissed their foreheads a little longer and listened to their sweet, sleeping breaths. Heavy heart thinking about the CT families unable to do the same tonight."
--Sarah Jenkins
"Sitting with my Kindergartner and other two kids right now and just feeling so grateful to be hugging them and at the same time feeling sick about what many parents are going through right now in CT. May God give them the strength to get through this."
-- Jodie Mylen
-- Jodie Mylen
Read Harry Potter with Charlotte tonight ("Only 2 more chapters until I can watch the movie!"), sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow to Julia ("Mom, is that your real voice you sing with?") and then, after they were asleep, cried to think it was only luck or grace that might have kept them safe today.
--Diane Bartoli
I am physically ill when I think about what happened in Connecticut. I had hoped that when I woke up this morning, I would realize it was just a terrible dream. I've seen my 4 and 6 year olds play with their friends at school, at dance class, and at soccer. They don't understand the concept of danger or mortality. Children this age are not only defenseless to this type of attack, but would not even recognize the threat even while it is happening. I can't find the words to express how truly terrible I feel when I think about what happened. The only thing that hurts more is the realization that there isn't a simple solution to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again. This is so painful.
--Brett Amos
Tonight as I put my sweet babies clothes in the wash and clean up their messes I'm so grateful. As a family with other family friends and our community, we went out and walked/ran a race tonight for the food bank. The spirit was so beautiful. We were a community coming together and in light of this tragedy, we were extra specially together. For them. For us. And for the greater good of our world. We come together and can make things happen. Together. Sending peace and love to Sandy Hook and to us all ♥
--Mimi Kemp Ziegler
I'm stunned. Fighting the urge to just go get my kids and not let go right now. And Bob Costas got SLAMMED for saying this on national TV less than 2 weeks ago: "Handguns do not enhance our safety. They exacerbate our flaws, tempt us to escalate arguments, and bait us into embracing confrontation rather than avoiding it..."
--Jed Enlow
(on talking to kids about the tragedy)...
"I got some advice from Amy that I used. Our kids did not know anything either and I too was concerned about the conversations that might occur at school. I told them that there was a terrible event that happened in a school in connecticut and that people might be talking about it tomorrow. I didn't even say what it was but let them know if they have questions about what they hear, to talk to us or any adult at school if they have to. I avoided telling them not to worry that they are safe because I am not sure it occurs to them they might NOT be safe and didn't want to put it in their heads. They accepted the news and said they were okay. Girls may have a little more depth though, or at least children who are not mine...."
(--comment on Diane Bartoli's status update)
"Dear Jesus,
It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately. These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated. The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation? Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence. Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene. Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.
This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children"
Your Children"
-- "A Christmas Prayer" by Huffington Post Max Lucado
"Now IS the time to Demand A Plan to End Gun Violence
The school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut is a tragedy beyond comprehension. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones and the community that has been hit with this horrific act of violence.
But our condolences are not enough. Mass shootings and gun murders have become commonplace in our country because our laws are broken and our leaders have no plan to address gun violence.
But our condolences are not enough. Mass shootings and gun murders have become commonplace in our country because our laws are broken and our leaders have no plan to address gun violence.
Earlier today, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said: "Today is not the day… to engage in the usual Washington policy debates. I think that that day will come, but today is not that day."
We couldn't disagree more.
We say, Now IS the Time to talk about guns. Now IS the time to prevent more pointless deaths. Now IS the time to Demand A Plan to End Gun Violence."
"Such a horrific incident today. My prayers are with all of those involved. No little person should witness such horror and tragedy....
We received these suggestions from school regarding the horrific shooting in Connecticut. I thought i'd pass along....
When events such as this occur, many parents worry about how to address it with their own children. The age of the students involved in the shooting and the timing during the holiday season makes the story especially unexpected and tragic. Following are some suggestions on how to approach the subject within your family.
1. Severely limit exposing your own children to the news and media reports this weekend – this includes TV, radio, Internet and newspapers. Monitor the use of smartphones and gaming systems that
access the Internet.
2. Be careful when discussing the news with other adults or on the phone – children usually hear more than we expect them to.
3. If you discuss the story with your child, give the child the opportunity to ask you questions. Stick to the facts and only give them as much information as they request. It is common for adults to go into a longer explanation than the child needs. It is OK to say,“I don’t know.” Your child may ask the same question repeatedly as they try to make sense of the situation.
4. Most of all, reassure your child that they are safe at home and at school. Reassurance and a sense of security is what the children will need most at this time.
5. Take care of yourself. Tragic events such as this can be traumatic for both children and adults. Children will look to you and will react to your reactions.
6. If you have concerns about your child, please notify the school counselor for assistance."
We received these suggestions from school regarding the horrific shooting in Connecticut. I thought i'd pass along....
When events such as this occur, many parents worry about how to address it with their own children. The age of the students involved in the shooting and the timing during the holiday season makes the story especially unexpected and tragic. Following are some suggestions on how to approach the subject within your family.
1. Severely limit exposing your own children to the news and media reports this weekend – this includes TV, radio, Internet and newspapers. Monitor the use of smartphones and gaming systems that
access the Internet.
2. Be careful when discussing the news with other adults or on the phone – children usually hear more than we expect them to.
3. If you discuss the story with your child, give the child the opportunity to ask you questions. Stick to the facts and only give them as much information as they request. It is common for adults to go into a longer explanation than the child needs. It is OK to say,“I don’t know.” Your child may ask the same question repeatedly as they try to make sense of the situation.
4. Most of all, reassure your child that they are safe at home and at school. Reassurance and a sense of security is what the children will need most at this time.
5. Take care of yourself. Tragic events such as this can be traumatic for both children and adults. Children will look to you and will react to your reactions.
6. If you have concerns about your child, please notify the school counselor for assistance."
-- Rachel Moseley Sokolich
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