When I saw the headlines, I felt nauseous. Words escape me to even convey the sadness that the people of Newtown, Connecticut – particularly those affected by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary – must be feeling right now. Normally this blog is about beauty and light, joyful things, but my heart isn’t there right now. I can’t stop thinking about the parents, the families, and the children lost so senselessly.
Normally in the wake of a tragedy there are fundraisers and ways that everyone can tangibly help through donations. In the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, I’m honestly at a loss for how we can help in a real, meaningful way. How do you begin to heal these wounds? How do you come to terms with this as a community?
I can’t claim to know all the answers, and this is much more complex of an issue than I’m prepared to weigh in on. I am in favor of gun control and improved mental healthcare in this country and around the world. I found myself nodding and applauding and saying words of agreement out loud during President Obama’s speech this week. And when he read the names of the children, I could not help but cry.
Click here to read a transcript and click here to watch if you haven’t yet.
“We can’t tolerate this anymore. These tragedies must end. And to end them, we must change. We will be told that the causes of such violence are complex, and that is true. No single law — no set of laws can eliminate evil from the world, or prevent every senseless act of violence in our society.
But that can’t be an excuse for inaction. Surely, we can do better than this. If there is even one step we can take to save another child, or another parent, or another town, from the grief that has visited Tucson, and Aurora, and Oak Creek, and Newtown, and communities from Columbine to Blacksburg before that — then surely we have an obligation to try.
In the coming weeks, I will use whatever power this office holds to engage my fellow citizens — from law enforcement to mental health professionals to parents and educators — in an effort aimed at preventing more tragedies like this. Because what choice do we have? We can’t accept events like this as routine. Are we really prepared to say that we’re powerless in the face of such carnage, that the politics are too hard? Are we prepared to say that such violence visited on our children year after year after year is somehow the price of our freedom?” – President Barack Obama
My heart goes out to the families affected in Newtown, Connecticut. I hope and pray that real change comes about in the wake of this horrific loss.
If anyone knows of a way to really help the community of Newtown, please let me know in the comments below. Or just share your thoughts. I’m heartbroken over this story.
I believe that United Way in that area is accepting monetary donations.
I guess that at this time, what is needed is serious counselling for the survivors and the children and adults who did not lose a loved one.
I also wish that a database could be created whereby the survivors’ health and well being statistics/records/reports are tracked for up to at least 10 years so that all stakeholders can learn and assist both short term and the longer term.
I would also say that it seems to be mostly in USA that these mass killings by guns occur – there needs to be stronger control of guns AND the use of guns.
I also believe that the medical systems within that state/town where the tragedy occurred slipped up in monitoring Adam Lanza – in these days of technology, there should be a intralinked medical computer records reporting systems, that can be created to capture red flagged items whether or not a person visits their regular doctor, an out of the way clinic or an out of state hospital – of course for it to work elements of certain symptoms or diagnoses must be reported etc….I am sure this is possible and in this way, one can hope to prevent similar attacks because the suspect’s medical weaknesses and trigger points will be flagged and so alert the authorities that he is a possible threat or that he has already escalated and terrible actions by him are imminent.
My prayers go out to all of Newtown.
Technology has made the world a much larger place. We feel more hurt and wounded by the tragedies taking place in other areas of the country and the world. As soon as I heard about the death of the innocent people in Newtown, I prayed that all would be at peace and their souls drenched in light. I know it is hard for the people that stayed behind so they also deserve our prayers. I loved President Obams’s speech and I can see how he was also moved by the tragedy. All we can do is try and continue to make this world a better place for us all—love can do amazing things.
I am saddened by the state of affairs that have left the U.S of A and the rest of the world in a state of shock. My heartfelt sympathies go out to the families of the victims, but more so to the young man who committed these acts.
No more than a child, he himself had to be filled with a kind of hurt that could have been healed, or repaired in the very least. His resentment to his mother and his childhood became evident in his expression of his rage, but how could society have failed this young man? We were all appointed out brother’s keeper. What happened? People may say blame the authorities. If someone has power does it mean that they have control over another?
Is it that in today’s fast-paced society that we forget that people have souls? Do we forget that human contact is essential to our beings?
What I would like people to do is look for signs that something may be wrong in another person, and go to help that person. Sometimes a hug, or a smile, or just taking five minutes at the water cooler to listen to someone is all it takes. Be genuine to each other and love unconditionally.
Healing in Newtown will take many months, years and to some it may never come. Imagine a world where we could put a band-aid on every bleeding and broken heart. It would be perfect. We would be Stepford Wives. Step back into reality – there are no band-aids, but there is love, even better than the power of these adhesives. If anyone out here can reach these families who were affected, and more so the little ones who witnessed this act, remind them that the world is full of life and love and laughter. They must not be allowed to wallow in this pit of shame and fear and anger. These are the future leaders of our countries.
As the Desiderata says, “And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”
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