I have avoided saying much of anything about what happened in Connecticut a few days ago for a reason. Everybody seems to have an opinion about it. A lot of people just seem to want to cause contention and spark debates. Arguments. Hear my argument. Shock and awe. The more I've kept it to myself, the more it has bothered me though. I don't think anyone on this planet can fathom the reality of what has just happened. Perhaps only those who have just lost their children, or Sisters, Wives, and Mothers. Perhaps those who just lost their son and Brother. I think that this is something that everyone needs to talk about and get a grip on. It IS reality, and this really did just happen. People need to heal, and we all need to learn how we can help to prevent anything like this from happening ever again, because history has shown us now that it will continue.
20 sweet and innocent little children ages 6 & 7 were just murdered. Shot. Shot multiple times while they were at school. This kind of thing has happened before at High Schools, on the streets, and even Jr. High Schools. Who could have possibly predicted this? 20 small little kids and 5 of their teachers and faculty at the Elementary School, and let's not forget the killers Mother. Little is known about Adam Lanza's motives for this heinous act. What we do know is that apparently he had a form or Autism, was quiet and mostly kept to himself, and was a genius. And no one ever suspected that he could be capable of such an act.
The news of what occurred on Friday, December 14th, 2012, literally made me sick to my stomach. I cried. I wept when I heard and read the news of what happened that day. I wept for the families who lost their loved ones. I wept for the survivors. I wept for the first responders who had to see such a horrific scene in person.
People. I am NOT a dude that cries. I am, however, a Father. My Preslie is 5 years old, and about the same age as the children who were gunned down in their classrooms. All I could see was my sweet little Angels face as I scrolled through the pictures of the victims. That could have just as easily been her. Those parents and families will never see their babies grow up, or even smile again. And they had no idea. No idea on that morning that they were saying goodbye for the last time as they dropped them off to school. No idea as their wives left for work that morning, that it would be the last time. The end.
Friday was the first time that Preslie has seen me cry. I didn't have the heart to tell my 5 year old about the horror that had just occurred. I don't want her to know about it. I don't want her to be afraid, and lose her innocence.
It has been on my mind now ever since. What is the last thing I said to Preslie when I dropped her off? What if that was the last time I ever saw her again? What if something happened to her, completely out of my control, and I did not get to hug her or kiss her or be with her again? Did I tell her that I love her enough? Did I show her enough? Does she know? She is my world, and I don't think I could make it without her. I am so deeply saddened for the parents who have lost their little Angels. I can't imagine the heartache and pain they are feeling right now. I just hope that they know that the world is feeling it with them right now, and that they are not alone. If anything, this tragedy has shown that the world is not all bad. There is good among us. There are monsters who are capable or horrific things too, but they will never be the majority. If anything, I have seen the world come together with love and compassion for those in need. Not everyone, of course. But by far the majority. I hope that we can continue to work together and make something meaningful out of this. Hug our children a bit tighter every day, and not forget why.
I'm not writing this so that it can be shared and debated. These are my thoughts and opinions. I think everyone needs to talk about this though, and work through it. One way or another.
