Yesterday 20 elementary school children, in a small town in Connecticut, woke from their slumber to dress for school. Some chatted with their parents or siblings about Christmas coming soon. Some probably looked for their right shoe, or left. Or for the mischief their elf got into. They forgot their homework in the merriment of Friday.
They went to school, but they never came home. They never got the chance to grow up and so we remember them as the innocent babies they are.
This same morning six adults woke to care for, teach and expand the minds of children at Sandy Hook Elementary. They woke to a quick cup of coffee, maybe some cereal. They checked Facebook, or kissed their significant other. They sent a text message and wrote a note about what would be for dinner that night. They hopped in cold cars and drove to work. And they’ll never drive home.
Twenty six souls set free in a world of Hell, while in an elementary school. A mother dead. The gunman, too. 28 people. Human lives.
Is no place on earth sacred? Is there no where safe?
Twenty souls who never had the opportunity to cause trouble, gunned down without cause. Seven adults sharing their lives to grow young minds, now lost in senseless violence. One man who turned his life-calling into the nightmares of countless others.
Today, as we woke up, our heads hurt from the tears we shed, our hearts hurt- trying to beat for 20 children throughout the night.
This day and every day after may we hug our babies a minute longer, enjoy each day just a little bit more, and cherish each moment for moments are so fleeting.
For the times you are blessed with; to watch your child on their first date, drive a car, graduate, get married, start a family. Everyday is your best day, your luckiest day. Hold on to them, as it takes just one to rip you from your dream and into Hell on Earth.
Time is all we have, and it is never time enough.
God rest those 20 souls of children, and the 7 brave adults who are caring for them still. May you all sleep in peace with Him.
This might not be about gun control, or the mental health sector finally being as important as physical health, or, even bullying and the effects it has later in life. Sadly, evil has and always will exist in this world. While I do not own a gun, I know many responsible people who do. And, growing up the daughter of a psychologist, I know the way mental health is still regarded as unimportant and often not covered by health insurance. There is a belief that hotlines and ten visits per year with co-pays of $20 each are enough to “cure” someone of their imbalances. Physicians, untrained in mental health disorders, are supplying medications unfit for the minds of their patients. Patients who may use guns. Or knives, or fists. Who may one day hurt others or themselves. There are no excuses, and what is wrong will always be wrong, but maybe, just maybe, this is a call to take the true threats we face everyday as humans a bit more seriously, and stop playing the terrorist game in America. There have been too many shootings. There have been too many threats, and punches thrown. Let us reflect and bring what peace and love we can to this world of chaos. A tweet I can relate with spoke so true to this thought, including the idea that one person tried to light their shoe and now we all have to take our shoes off at airports, but there have been multiple mass murders, and yet there is not enough being done to prevent them. I do not and will not speak to gun control, as a non-owner, it is not my place. I do not care if you have a gun. I care if you are responsible. What I will support, and hope you support as well, is the mental health of my fellow Americans. Not all shooters are depressed, or crazy. A diagnosis of mania, bi-polar or schizophrenia is not what makes a killer. The more educated we are about these issues, the more outlets we have for help, the less trauma (I believe) we will see in this country.
Have a blessed weekend.
Love,
Chelley
A is for Adelaide and... 