I am guessing many people feel the same way I do right now, but I am just sick. Sick over the trajedy that struck friday in CT. I can not shake the awful feeling that came over me as I saw the coverage on tv as I was preparing for Christmas. Yes, I had to be so extra thankful my kids were safe at their school and there when I picked them up on friday. They had no idea why their mom had tears in their eyes the moment I saw them. This morning was probably worse as I watched all those pictures scroll across the screen...my thoughts and prayers are with all those families that were affected with this awful awful event. I can not begin to imagine what they are going through, no do I ever want to but its hard not to just feel sick and SO SO angry and not be able to answer the question...why? Why a bunch of innocent kids? There are so many more things I could say about this but I will leave it be. It's just an event that will go down in history and not in a good way and certainly at an even harder time of year.
I did just want to touch on something that may have helped me a little bit yesterday. At church, our awesome Father Charlie centered his homily on this event without saying it directly. He called all the kids up to the alter (which he does a couple times a year) to read them a book. This was the book, a family favorite to us and I'm sure many others:
He proceeded to read the book to the kids and very well I might add :) And if you are not familiar, the book talks about a parent loving a child more and more. The very end of the book says I love you to the moon and back. He reitterated to the kids that their parents love them to the moon and back and that Jesus loves them all the way to Heaven and back. After he was finished he told the kids to give their parents a hug when they returned to their seats. My eyes were so full of tears and I could not resist hugging those kids. What a perfect way to touch on the subject without saying anything! He did add a few additional prayers as well that were also perfectly worded so that you knew what we were praying for without the kids asking tons of questions. Well done Father Charlie and thank you!
So all day yesterday and all day today all that is going through my head is this:
I am now thinking that we might have to get a print like this and hang it in our house as it is said enough around here, especially lately! I think we may have to read that book more too...it has not been in the rotation since the kids are reading more "grown up" books now but it is one that probably should be read and remembered. I am so thankful for all my blessings and its so awful that it takes a trajedy to realize how thankful sometimes.
Sorry for the sad post but as much as I would love to talk about Christmas fun, I think I needed to stop and think about those people in CT that really need prayers right now.
