A Reflection on Newtown

A Reflection on Newtown-

After all these months I am still haunted by the reality that in our great country such a horrific event as this occurred. If you have moved on to worries about tensions in the Middle East or threats from the Far East, I apologize for being stuck on the date of December 14, 2012, six days before my granddaughter’s seventh birthday. You see she is in the first grade. 

 Nothing compels us to reevaluate our human condition and reexamine our relationships more than a shocking tragedy. We contemplate the unfathomable and senseless loss of lives, the anguish and trauma of the survivors, the sorrow and support of the community, and the initial outpouring of prayers and sympathy from the nation.

However, in the weeks and months after the Sandy Hook tragedy, when we should be engaged in selfless, caring actions such as occurred after 9/11, instead we find ourselves embroiled in a partisan debate over gun control. Addressing the circumstances of Sandy Hook isn't simply a matter of more gun control, whichever side of the gun control debate you are on. The victims of Sandy Hook are not martyrs to the debate on guns. They are our children and they are the innocents that we let slip away in a moment that we all must admit that we have imaged in our worst nightmares and fears.

In their memory we can do these things:

We can remind ourselves what life is all about. Life is about family and spending time with our kids. Our children need to be reminded daily that we love them. We must also remember they are being immediately impacted by events around the globe for truly we live in a global community, and we are affected by world events. Now is the perfect time to have a plan in place to help you and the children you care about cope with traumatic events.

We need to learn more about mental illnesses. It is sadly ironic that Nancy, the shooter's mother, who was so protective of and devoted to her son Adam, was the first to die.  We must talk with friends and family about "warning signs." No, we certainly can't ensure this horror will never happen again, but each of us can become more aware of those closest to us. We can notice changes in personality or other warning signs. Another way to express this - take more time to personally interact with other people whether at work or school or home, so you're more likely to notice drastic changes.

We need to put down the pitch forks and torches and stop trying to look for or chase away the "monster." Instead, as Americans we need to lean on each other for support. Indeed, we look for the light of love that pierces even the darkest of moments such as these.