I woke up this morning feeling compelled to pen my emotions regarding the CT grade school shooting that happened yesterday.
I think it took a good 24-hours for the reality of it happening to really sink in for me.
The more that has come to light and the more anecdotes I read the heavier my heart feels. I cannot think of a more tragic, heinous, and heart-wrenching act. My whole heart, 10 times over, goes out to each and every person in any way connected to this. Really, that is all of us. The victims, their families, their friends, their networks. It also goes out to people like you and me that are just hearing and reading the news as we shake our heads going, ‘what is happening? How can this be?’
It’s left me stunned.
All I can think is, who does this? Who could? Who walks into an elementary school and opens fire on sweet, innocent children and adults? Who, why? How can someone have that in them? My brain cannot even process the event. It’s monstrous; the most monstrous exploit I can imagine. And why have violent acts on this grand of a scale been increasing?
How do we stop this senseless brutality? Is it easier access to therapy? Mandatory mental health counseling until a certain age? Gun control? Tighter regulations for entering a campus, like they do for airports?
I am so heavy hearted as this news really sinks in. Parents that dropped off their beloved babies yesterday morning will never see them again. I can’t even imagine what that feels like. Children and adults at the school and all those involved firsthand will be forever scarred from witnessing that barbaric display. From the terror of the sights, sounds, and feelings to the sad aftermath. I extend to them all so much love. I wish I could give them more. I wish there was something, anything, that I could do to help. To help those affected and to stop anything like this from ever- EVER- happening again.
It is truly a reminder to love more, to be more kind, to reach out to those in need, and to lend that one extra helping hand.
I wish that we could eliminate all cruel acts in this world, to children, animals, adults, the environment, really everything. It starts with each of us individually and I think it is an ‘adding up’ of the little deeds and daily actions. I know that today I am going to try to be a little more gracious and charitable than I was yesterday, and the day before yesterday, and the day before that. And it is my sincerest of hopes that this heinous act is the very last of its kind.
Wishing you a day filled with love.
thank you a Bunch, Justine, for this posting. This act of violence at a school or any place was for sure really heinous. I also, choose to go forward each and everyday trying to be more gracious and charitable.
Also, wishing everyone a day filled with Love. God bless everyone and take good care of yourselves and each person around you
Jimmy
Louisiana USA
Thank you so much Jimmy, I appreciate you weighing in. What a senseless and horrible thing this is. I guess we will just never understand it.
You are so poignant and Dear. We just turned on the news. We had My Grandmothers funeral service, and entertaining. So this morning I woke up to facebook, looking for a funny status, or picture of beautiful nature, instead we saw this. I usually let my oldest little girl sign on to facebook with me, Her school has a page and we stay updated. My husband wasn’t thrilled I let her watch the news, and we talked about it. It was certainly with heavy hearts and way more tears than I thought I had left. We spent this morning praying, and coloring colors of rainbows and angels and holding one another. I cannot as a whole honest human being explain to her how bad this is, even though inherently she is dumbfounded and heartbroken too. I just keep reminding her that there is still good. There will always be good. And that trumps evil any day. Thank you for being so thoughtful Justine. Thanks for letting me share our families thoughts too. Much love today, and every day.
Your thoughts and feelings are being experienced by many ..all over the nation.
Myself included. I thought I was someone who had seen it all Justine. This one cut me right in the heart and brought me to tears.
Stacy, really I have you to thank for your comment and thoughtfulness. I am so sorry to hear that your grandmother passed away. It sounds like you organized a wonderful morning together with your family, though, which is so important and something the girls will always remember.
I love what you quoted to your daughter: “I just keep reminding her there is still good. There will always be good. And that trumps evil any day.”
Thank you for reminding me of that too. I typically live my life thinking this way- I only wish we could eliminate the evil acts once and for all.
Much love to you and your sweet family today and every day, too. XO
I agree wholeheartedly. I was so cut to the core. I think of the teacher that locked herself and her class into one small bathroom… The one that locked the door and read the class stories to allay their fears and conceal the sound of gunshots… I imagine how the families and those affected are feeling today, how they will feel tomorrow, and how this will dictate the rest of their lives. It all hangs heavily on all of our hearts.
I haven’t lived enough years yet to have seen it all, but if this is seeing it all, I don’t want to see any more… I’ve seen enough of the evil side to be sure. Too much. Boundaries so far overstepped that there aren’t words.
Thank you for your words.