Virtual Hands Grasped in Prayer For Those in Connecticut...

[Sue Sue Applegate]

I haven't kept the news on for very long, either. It has been frightening for the little ones.

I have worked with several programs teaching kindergarteners in an early Spanish language program, and they are so loving, trusting, and kind at that age. I can't imagine the torment of the children, the families, and the teachers who are left to grieve at this time. Devastating.

All I can do is say prayers for them.

[charliechaplinfan]

All the littlest ones, I don't know why it should make it worse, they're all young, innocent children but it does. It happened in Scotland in 1996, 16 dead I think, a scout leader went into the youngest class and started blasting away, they didn't have a chance.

You don't think when you drop your kids off at school that they are in danger, we have taken them to a safe place and children need to be able to know they are safe. I've kept the news off, I prefer to listen to the news, sometimes TV news reports in general can be too much for me, let alone for younger ones.

[Sue Sue Applegate]

If you have a Facebook or Twitter account, you can sign the Sandy Hook Elementary School National Sympathy Card by following this link : http://www.causes.com/actions/1715318?ctm=cat_nav_1

[rohanaka]

Thanks for the link, Miss Applegate.

I have to say.. ever since this tragedy, I have just been so beside myself thinking of how truly awful it must be for these families. And I agree, it seems even more terrifying to think how the "safety" we always presume our children enjoy, tucked away in their classroom w/ their teachers and other school staff members, has been ripped away now, like never before. (at least for me, anyway)

I have worked in the public school systems in a variety of capacities and I can tell you that after hearing about this event, I have found myself putting faces on all the faceless people (the staff and children alike) because I just took it so personally.. these could have been anyone's children.. and any school workers.. at any school, anywhere. I don't even want to think of it all.. and yet it is with me still. I think we will all be shaken over this for some time to come.

Wendy, I am glad your daughter and her school mates are working to find a way to share some encouragement to others. I think that is a great thing to have the children do. I know it will help them to feel less helpless if they are concentrating on how to spread some happiness to others. I think that is a marvelous thing to do. I read online about some "pie lady" in Iowa who organized a big "pie" delivery of home-baked apple pies to the various citizens of Newtown.. and I have read of others who are making dontations to various schools and colleges in memory of those who were lost. The best that I can offer up to any of the families of the victims is just my heartfelt prayer for God to be with them all. And may he grant them his comfort and peace in the days ahead.


Thanks for letting me talk all this out with you, folks. God bless you one and all.

[knitwit45]

just saw this on FB, and wanted to share it with those of us looking for a little comfort. There are wonderful, caring people in this world.





On Monday, his day off, he put on his police uniform, drove his daughter to school in his patrol car, sat in the parking lot until lunch time and then went in and ate lunch with a cafeteria full of 7 year olds. He talked to them, put straws in their Capri Suns, opened their applesauce containers and was a symbol to them of safety and comfort.

[Sue Sue Applegate]

That is sweet, Knitty. Thanks for posting that story.

And Rohanaka, thank you for the lovely thoughts and comments.

[Rita Hayworth]

Knitty thanks for sharing that story about that Police Officer ... he is a true gentleman and a decent human being.

[rohanaka]

Just wanted to share some info that a friend of mine passed on to me... if anyone is interested:

The Sandy Hook Elementary School Victims Relief Fund has raised more than $73,750. The school PTA will administer the fund, which will provide counseling to survivors, pay for funeral expenses for victims, create a scholarship fund for the school's students and fund a memorial

Donations: Newtown Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 596, Botsford, Conn. 06404 or http://newtownmemorialfund.org/

[moira finnie]

I find it hard to read anything more about this horrific tragedy, but one thing that does seem to be a way of trying to eke out something positive from this comes out of an idea sparked by newswoman Ann Curry. She suggested that perhaps performing 26 acts of kindness in our everyday lives might be one way to honor the victims of this event. More can be seen about this idea here:
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12 ... dness?lite

[JackFavell]

I read that too Moira, and thought it was a great way to honor those victims.

[charliechaplinfan]

That's a good idea, it's important to honour them.

I really had had the TV off and didn't know the details apart from numbers. The kids are now out and I've just watched footage of a teacher's funeral, she was killed along with all of her class bar one. I didn't know that detail and it really doesn't change things but it's chilled me to think that the weapon or skill he had was such that he could wipe out an entire class in a minute. I didn't think I could feel anymore chilled but now I do.