A few thoughts about Friday

I, like many of you, sat glued to the TV (or Internet) on Friday listening to the Newtown massacre story unfold. I cried. I got angry. I cried again. I am so incredibly sad for the families that lost children. I am  horribly sad for the children that had to witness their friends get murdered right in front of their eyes. I couldn't wait for work to be over so I could go get my daughter and hug her tight. I still can't wrap my head around this at all. Who can make sense of this tragedy? Is there really a reason that would satisfy anyone? No, never. This man was a monster, he wasn't human. How was this missed? How did NO ONE pick up on this? And right before Christmas, that just makes it so much worse. It really does minimize any and all problems in your life, doesn't it?

Seeing the president address the nation with tears in his eyes makes you realize no one is immune to this, not even our leader. We are all parents, siblings, children, friends & human beings. We feel compassion no matter who you are.

I don't know how to make sense of this - I don't know if anyone can. I know this - I feel just a little less safe no matter where I am. No one and no town is immune from anything. You really do need to be careful and alert wherever you are. You just never know. And I know this is the cliche' thing to say, but live your life to the fullest. Don't get caught up on the petty things and remove the negative things from your life. Enjoy each day. Breathe in the fresh air. Soak in the sun. Hug your family & love your children. You just never know when that can be taken away from you.

I am focusing on the children only because it's so much worse when a 6 year old is taken from this world. My heart still bleeds for the adults that lost their lives too of course, even the killer's mother.

Is gun control the solution? Who knows. I feel like the government could regulate guns all they want, but I am pretty certain if a scumbag animal wants a gun, they are going to find one on the street somehow. I don't think that will stop things like this from happening. Maybe there should be a cry for more awareness or for people to speak up when they see someone that is clearly having mental issues and seems like they could be a threat. You can't tell me this guy skated through life like a normal person and showed no signs of crazy? (Here's the "mad" part in me coming out!). I am not looking to make this into a political debate so I'll leave it alone, but those are my thoughts for what it's worth. It doesn't really matter at this point, because it won't bring back any of those children.

I also want to recognize the heroic efforts of the teachers, children and the custodian. We keep hearing of different people that saved probably many more lives thank goodness. I heard a story that the custodian ran down the hallways yelling there was a gunman. Did he save lives? Probably. I would like to think that by the principal and the school psychiatrist being shot, that this saved other lives too possibly. I have to try and look at it that way.

God Bless the families affected.