Yesterday I got up early knowing I had to run if I was going to deal with the huge lump of sadness sitting in my gut. I know every single one of you had the same heart breaking response to the school shooting in Connecticut on Friday. I don’t want to go into details here, that is what CNN is for, but suffice it to say that the horrific nature of those events are so unconscionable, so wretched, so gruesome, that thinking about it is almost too much. Yet, I can’t stop thinking about them. All 26 of them.
Like most, we spent Friday night on the couch, huddled together grateful we could touch, hold and speak to one another. But, painstakingly aware that others could not.
The sunrise yesterday morning was calming and glorious:
I had to run. It was the only thing I could think of to do. Ken and I did a silent, chilly 9 mile run on some trails around Boulder. The stinging cold air and the serene beauty of the reservoir and the nearby foothills did bring some fleeting peace.
In all of the things I have heard said about this tragedy, I think a congressman from Connecticut expressed it best. He attended the Friday night vigil at a Catholic Church in Newtown and said (I am summarizing), “I see many children here. Yes, bring your children. Show them that there is so much love and light amidst the horror.” An interactive website called Wall of Love has been set up to demonstrate this exact thing. Show it to your kids.
With our own kids it is hard to know what to say. I have been very honest. I tell them there are sick people in the world who do very bad things. But, I also remind them that the vast majority of people are good and want to bring peace and kindness. I tell them that in the face of all that is scary and unsettled out there, we still live our lives and try not to consumed by all of our fears of “what if.” It’s all I can say because I cannot tell them they are safe. Because I don’t know that they are – and that is gut wrenching. But, I will be damned if we are going to hole up in our house be afraid all of the time.
If you want to help the Sandy Hook victims and their families, here are some ways (taken from HERE). And, if you know of any other online efforts to help the victims, please share them in the comments.
- Sandy Hook Elementary School Fund: Chris DeLetto of Champaign, Ill., started this fundraiser on Crowdtilt, hoping to raise $50,000 in 30 days.
-
Help for the Sandy Hook Elementary School Families: Razoo's campaign started by Joe Waters is raising money for the Sandy Hook Parent Teachers Association.
-
Sandy Hook Elementary School Victims Relief Fund: This Crowdrise campaign, started by Ryan, is raising money for the school's PTSA organization.
-
Secure Schools: Becky Hoover launched this campaign to get security systems in place in all U.S. schools, including pass-key systems with cameras.
Peace now more than ever,
SUAR
