So, prior to Friday, 12/14/12, it was rather a safe assumption to say that most of the United States had never heard of Sandy Hook Elementary School and likely couldn't point out Newport, CT, on a map. Since then, however, the likelihood that you've not only heard of it, you could probably tell me what you've read/heard/seen about it and your thoughts on the entire situation is fairly high.
I've started to write multiple things on my facebook page but always stop as I know that the chances that it will set somebody off for one reason or another are high. I have a general rule that I don't post things that are political or religious in nature as there will always be someone with an alternate view who will either be offended enough to debate and/or de-friend me. (Sidenote: I have found that this is also true with sports. We sports lovers are nothing if we aren't passionate. But I digress.)
The reason for my writing this post is to try to work through the things that have gone through my mind since I started receiving the updates on my phone about the unthinkable tragedy that occurred on that Friday, which happened to be a beautiful one in Houston. I was at the gym as it all started to unfold and I couldn't help but stay glued to the TV and/or fb newsfeed and/or the news sites to an unhealthy point. I could feel my personal anxiety about my own children growing so I had to turn it off and walk away. My drive to get my babies from daycare took on a new urgency that evening and I hugged them both a little longer and harder when I finally got to them.
As I sit here writing this, there are still a few things left to be determined, namely: The motive. The one question that has plagued everyone since they first heard the news is a remaining piece of the puzzle which, as is usually the case in these situations, will fill in a few blanks while opening up a few new ones. The details of when and how are mostly known. The names of the 26 victims at the school (as well as the 1 away from it) are known, as well as their ages. There are pictures of 8 adults, including the shooter, and 20 beautiful babies everywhere you look.
Like quite a few people I know, I've asked myself the questions, "How did this happen?" and "What could have been done to prevent it?" and "Why are events like these happening so frequently?" and "What do we as a nation have to do to keep it from happening again?" The main responses to that 3rd question range from a lack of God/religion in the schools to school safety (or a lack thereof) to easy access to guns, and each person defends their position passionately. There has been a post going around on facebook that points to the American mainstream media as the culprit and is attributed to Morgan Freeman. He has since issued a statement saying that it isn't actually his rant (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/morgan-freeman-statement-criticizing-media-185730606.html) but my kudos to whomever wrote it. As I agree with you. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a fan of American mainstream journalism. TRUE journalism is absolutely necessary. We as a people MUST educate ourselves on our immediate and larger environment to make informed decisions that we face daily from what we eat to whom we vote for to where we choose to work. But when the known mentality of the "news" is, "If it bleeds, it leads," I, personally, can't help but take a step back and wonder when the news media will be held accountable for the effects of a sensationalistic, unnecessarily-overly-dramatic MO. The images and stories and details are LIVE, literally 24/7 in some cases, and in color, and overly-detailed, and in-your-face. News anchors were interviewing elementary students hours after this horrific event, for Christ's sake. Really? Elementary students. Who had just witnessed something that I can't even fathom as an adult. The pictures of the not only the gunman from Newtown, but also the others whom have gone on their own tirades in the past 3-4 years, are all over the TV. WE CANNOT IGNORE the fact that we are dealing with individuals whom have serious, documented mental health issues; so why do we create a celebrity-like status for these clearly-sick individuals? When will we acknowledge that this fuels this blood-drenched fire?
The situation calls for more than 1 fix, as I see it. For me, I see the issues to be the following, in this order:
1. Lack of options for individuals and/or families/friends of individuals dealing with mental health issues;
2. Sensationalistic news media;
3. Over-exposure to/dependence on social media; - AND last but CERTAINLY not least -
4. Easy access to guns and ammunition that should be reserved for police and military personnel.
I think the first 3 pretty well speak for themselves. And I'm sure that those who read this who feel that their 2nd amendment right should not be trampled on will read my 4th point and label me a commi-pinko. To those people, I say you could not be more wrong. I was raised by a former police officer whom is currently an educator and whom also happens to be a bit of a gun enthusiast, as well as a hunter. My husband hunts and enjoys learning about guns. I consider myself to be an educated woman but I have little knowledge (at best) when it comes to guns other than to know that I will educate my children on them enough for them to know the finality of a gun + bullet combination. I'll let my husband handle the safety part. But I think that I know enough to not understand why anyone other than someone whom is paid to protect me and/or my family AND/OR this country needs an automatic weapon. Why. WHY. I don't get it.
My mind has gone to the 20 children and 6 adults whom were mercilessly gunned down in an institution of learning last Friday more times than I can count since the details started to emerge. And to their families. There are wounds within those people and that community that will likely never heal. They may diminish over time. But just as every time you hear "Sandy Hook Elementary School," or "Newtown, CT," and think of where you were, these people will live it daily as they return to what will hopefully be a normal routine at some point down the long, painful road they face.
As I stood putting away my daughter's laundry tonight, my mind wandered to the parents of those 20 beautiful babies. I thought to myself, "These parents will never put clothes away to be worn again for their babies." And I had to stop myself from choking up again. They won't do laundry for the sole purpose for which the rest of us do laundry. I have 2 beautiful, perfect babies. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and anger and hurt and anguish and loss of that piece or your soul that comes from such an imaginable situation. My heart goes out to the families and friends of those 26 souls taken without a 2nd thought, as well as to the families and friends of the victims of the other senseless acts that we hear far too much about these days.
I've seen a few suggestions on how to honor the fallen. 20 acts of kindness in honor of the 20 young lives was amongst my favorite. Personally, I pledge to turn off the TV. And walk away from the facebook newsfeed. And stay away from my usual news sites. More time with the family I'm so lucky to have. More hugs and kisses for the 3 beautiful people who fill my house with more love and laughter than one person could ever need.
And with that, I bid you and yours more hugs, kisses, love, and laughter than you could ever need. And I hit the power button on the computer.
I've started to write multiple things on my facebook page but always stop as I know that the chances that it will set somebody off for one reason or another are high. I have a general rule that I don't post things that are political or religious in nature as there will always be someone with an alternate view who will either be offended enough to debate and/or de-friend me. (Sidenote: I have found that this is also true with sports. We sports lovers are nothing if we aren't passionate. But I digress.)
The reason for my writing this post is to try to work through the things that have gone through my mind since I started receiving the updates on my phone about the unthinkable tragedy that occurred on that Friday, which happened to be a beautiful one in Houston. I was at the gym as it all started to unfold and I couldn't help but stay glued to the TV and/or fb newsfeed and/or the news sites to an unhealthy point. I could feel my personal anxiety about my own children growing so I had to turn it off and walk away. My drive to get my babies from daycare took on a new urgency that evening and I hugged them both a little longer and harder when I finally got to them.
As I sit here writing this, there are still a few things left to be determined, namely: The motive. The one question that has plagued everyone since they first heard the news is a remaining piece of the puzzle which, as is usually the case in these situations, will fill in a few blanks while opening up a few new ones. The details of when and how are mostly known. The names of the 26 victims at the school (as well as the 1 away from it) are known, as well as their ages. There are pictures of 8 adults, including the shooter, and 20 beautiful babies everywhere you look.
Like quite a few people I know, I've asked myself the questions, "How did this happen?" and "What could have been done to prevent it?" and "Why are events like these happening so frequently?" and "What do we as a nation have to do to keep it from happening again?" The main responses to that 3rd question range from a lack of God/religion in the schools to school safety (or a lack thereof) to easy access to guns, and each person defends their position passionately. There has been a post going around on facebook that points to the American mainstream media as the culprit and is attributed to Morgan Freeman. He has since issued a statement saying that it isn't actually his rant (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/morgan-freeman-statement-criticizing-media-185730606.html) but my kudos to whomever wrote it. As I agree with you. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a fan of American mainstream journalism. TRUE journalism is absolutely necessary. We as a people MUST educate ourselves on our immediate and larger environment to make informed decisions that we face daily from what we eat to whom we vote for to where we choose to work. But when the known mentality of the "news" is, "If it bleeds, it leads," I, personally, can't help but take a step back and wonder when the news media will be held accountable for the effects of a sensationalistic, unnecessarily-overly-dramatic MO. The images and stories and details are LIVE, literally 24/7 in some cases, and in color, and overly-detailed, and in-your-face. News anchors were interviewing elementary students hours after this horrific event, for Christ's sake. Really? Elementary students. Who had just witnessed something that I can't even fathom as an adult. The pictures of the not only the gunman from Newtown, but also the others whom have gone on their own tirades in the past 3-4 years, are all over the TV. WE CANNOT IGNORE the fact that we are dealing with individuals whom have serious, documented mental health issues; so why do we create a celebrity-like status for these clearly-sick individuals? When will we acknowledge that this fuels this blood-drenched fire?
The situation calls for more than 1 fix, as I see it. For me, I see the issues to be the following, in this order:
1. Lack of options for individuals and/or families/friends of individuals dealing with mental health issues;
2. Sensationalistic news media;
3. Over-exposure to/dependence on social media; - AND last but CERTAINLY not least -
4. Easy access to guns and ammunition that should be reserved for police and military personnel.
I think the first 3 pretty well speak for themselves. And I'm sure that those who read this who feel that their 2nd amendment right should not be trampled on will read my 4th point and label me a commi-pinko. To those people, I say you could not be more wrong. I was raised by a former police officer whom is currently an educator and whom also happens to be a bit of a gun enthusiast, as well as a hunter. My husband hunts and enjoys learning about guns. I consider myself to be an educated woman but I have little knowledge (at best) when it comes to guns other than to know that I will educate my children on them enough for them to know the finality of a gun + bullet combination. I'll let my husband handle the safety part. But I think that I know enough to not understand why anyone other than someone whom is paid to protect me and/or my family AND/OR this country needs an automatic weapon. Why. WHY. I don't get it.
My mind has gone to the 20 children and 6 adults whom were mercilessly gunned down in an institution of learning last Friday more times than I can count since the details started to emerge. And to their families. There are wounds within those people and that community that will likely never heal. They may diminish over time. But just as every time you hear "Sandy Hook Elementary School," or "Newtown, CT," and think of where you were, these people will live it daily as they return to what will hopefully be a normal routine at some point down the long, painful road they face.
As I stood putting away my daughter's laundry tonight, my mind wandered to the parents of those 20 beautiful babies. I thought to myself, "These parents will never put clothes away to be worn again for their babies." And I had to stop myself from choking up again. They won't do laundry for the sole purpose for which the rest of us do laundry. I have 2 beautiful, perfect babies. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and anger and hurt and anguish and loss of that piece or your soul that comes from such an imaginable situation. My heart goes out to the families and friends of those 26 souls taken without a 2nd thought, as well as to the families and friends of the victims of the other senseless acts that we hear far too much about these days.
I've seen a few suggestions on how to honor the fallen. 20 acts of kindness in honor of the 20 young lives was amongst my favorite. Personally, I pledge to turn off the TV. And walk away from the facebook newsfeed. And stay away from my usual news sites. More time with the family I'm so lucky to have. More hugs and kisses for the 3 beautiful people who fill my house with more love and laughter than one person could ever need.
And with that, I bid you and yours more hugs, kisses, love, and laughter than you could ever need. And I hit the power button on the computer.
