I'm so angry. I've been blogging in my head for days now and nothing has seemed quite right. I've wanted to be sensitive and not offend anyone. I've wanted to just share the love. That's what I do right? Share the LOVE.
How is it possible that there have been 31 horrific school shootings since Columbine, yet we have not had the courage to step up and regulate weapons created to do nothing other than kill people. We have not had the courage to commit, as a society, to care for those in our world who most need our help and support. We leave the most desperate families, children and individuals to fend for themselves and then we blame everyone else when something finally happens. SHAME ON US.
I have not slept well or eaten much since Friday. My stomach has been lodged in my throat and I am focused on caring for my own family which is having its own struggles right now. Sleep eludes me.
I have refused to read the paper, or watch the news for days. Anytime I catch a glimpse of one of the victims of Friday's massacre, I feel like I'm intruding on the most personal of tragedies. I wanted to go to a local vigil the other night and then felt bad when I couldn't make myself go. I don't feel bad anymore, at least about that. I think our public displays of grief and support are important for many people. I did watch the President's address at the vigil in Newtown and appreciated his words.
For me personally it feels selfish. This is not "my" tragedy. It is not "my" pain. Over the past two decades every time something tragic happens, the public response has become bigger and bigger and the outpouring of support is greater and greater. I can't help feeling like our need to "share" the burden and pain is intrusive and disrespectful.
I did not lose a child or a friend or a parent on Friday. Most of us didn't. We were lucky - our children are safely at school today. My teacher husband is safely at his school doing his job, ready to "protect" his kids. Maybe we need to light candles and gather to feel like we are doing SOMETHING, when really there is nothing we can do. At least not for those children and teachers who are now gone.
I feel like this makes me sound hard. I have done my own weeping and praying, privately.
I'M SO ANGRY! Here comes the rant...
Over and over and OVER again, these events happen. Over and over and OVER again, we cry and weep and send teddy bears and raise money and hug and light candles and sing songs of peace and love.
Then, WE DO NOTHING.
SHAME ON US.
We continue to allow bullies like the NRA dictate gun policy. While civilized countries around the world have found ways to drastically reduce gun violence through real legislation, we allow BULLIES to decide who should be allowed to have WEAPONS DESIGNED TO KILL PEOPLE.
SHAME ON US.
We continue to refuse to take responsibility for the sick and destitute. We tout personal responsibility, but don't take it for ourselves or our families. We leave the mentally ill and their family members to fend for themselves. We light candles, sing songs, share platitudes and then go Christmas shopping.
SHAME ON US.
I'm so angry and so tired and while I desperately want to feel hopeful that maybe this time will be different, I'm having a hard time seeing that light. God is weeping for his people and their foolishness.
How is it possible that there have been 31 horrific school shootings since Columbine, yet we have not had the courage to step up and regulate weapons created to do nothing other than kill people. We have not had the courage to commit, as a society, to care for those in our world who most need our help and support. We leave the most desperate families, children and individuals to fend for themselves and then we blame everyone else when something finally happens. SHAME ON US.
I have not slept well or eaten much since Friday. My stomach has been lodged in my throat and I am focused on caring for my own family which is having its own struggles right now. Sleep eludes me.
I have refused to read the paper, or watch the news for days. Anytime I catch a glimpse of one of the victims of Friday's massacre, I feel like I'm intruding on the most personal of tragedies. I wanted to go to a local vigil the other night and then felt bad when I couldn't make myself go. I don't feel bad anymore, at least about that. I think our public displays of grief and support are important for many people. I did watch the President's address at the vigil in Newtown and appreciated his words.
For me personally it feels selfish. This is not "my" tragedy. It is not "my" pain. Over the past two decades every time something tragic happens, the public response has become bigger and bigger and the outpouring of support is greater and greater. I can't help feeling like our need to "share" the burden and pain is intrusive and disrespectful.
I did not lose a child or a friend or a parent on Friday. Most of us didn't. We were lucky - our children are safely at school today. My teacher husband is safely at his school doing his job, ready to "protect" his kids. Maybe we need to light candles and gather to feel like we are doing SOMETHING, when really there is nothing we can do. At least not for those children and teachers who are now gone.
I feel like this makes me sound hard. I have done my own weeping and praying, privately.
I'M SO ANGRY! Here comes the rant...
Over and over and OVER again, these events happen. Over and over and OVER again, we cry and weep and send teddy bears and raise money and hug and light candles and sing songs of peace and love.
Then, WE DO NOTHING.
SHAME ON US.
We continue to allow bullies like the NRA dictate gun policy. While civilized countries around the world have found ways to drastically reduce gun violence through real legislation, we allow BULLIES to decide who should be allowed to have WEAPONS DESIGNED TO KILL PEOPLE.
SHAME ON US.
We continue to refuse to take responsibility for the sick and destitute. We tout personal responsibility, but don't take it for ourselves or our families. We leave the mentally ill and their family members to fend for themselves. We light candles, sing songs, share platitudes and then go Christmas shopping.
SHAME ON US.
I'm so angry and so tired and while I desperately want to feel hopeful that maybe this time will be different, I'm having a hard time seeing that light. God is weeping for his people and their foolishness.
