Tragedy

This is the last time I’m going to blog before Christmas, and I planned to write a post on Christmas music and how it perfectly captures that essence of Christmas.  But in light of the tragic events on Friday, I don’t really feel the Christmas spirit right now.

I had a hard time dropping my second grader off to school these last two mornings.  I bet a lot of parents did.  That place that has always felt so safe has lost that innocence.  In all of these tragic shootings that have happened over the years, I naively believed that no one would be evil enough to specifically seek out and target young children.  And now that hope that these monsters would have some semblance of humanity is gone.

 Pure evil exists.  There is no doubt about that.

But pure love exists too, and in reading about what transpired, I am in awe of the courage and strength of the teachers and workers at the school.  Who shielded children from the gunman, risked their lives to pull children to safety, and made sure every door was locked, who had the presence of mind to tell the students how much they loved them fearing that might be the last words they ever heard.  My heart goes out to the brave the first responders who rushed to the scene and the emergency room workers who prepared for victims that never came. 

So many people in that community proved that they would do anything to protect and save and shield those sweet innocent children from the horror, and I wish that love was enough to save them all, but I know those courageous adults did everything they could.

They were heroes, every one of them. 

And to the families that lost loved ones, I know my grief isn’t as deep as yours because I cannot fathom how deep your pain must be, but I want you to know that I am grieving with you.  I think the whole nation is.  And in a way, your children are our children, and your loss is our loss.

 My thoughts and prayers and love go out to all of you that has suffered from this heinous crime.  May you find peace.

~MaryAnn