Sunday, December 16, 2012

Thoughts...


I have just been at a loss for words since the tragic happening in Newtown, CT Friday.  My daughter saw something my son wrote on his Facebook page Sunday that expresses how I feel very well.  He gave me permission to copy it here.

  I can't stop thinking about the events that unfolded on Friday in Connecticut.  There are multiple reasons it is hard not to, whether it is my own sadness for those families that were impacted, or my own anger of how someone could be so sick and twisted to do that type of harm to such innocent people or my observations of the media and in every page I turn, it is a topic.  Just since Friday, I have read two other articles of "planned mass school shootings", one in Oklahoma and the other in Indiana that were luckily prevented and arrests have been made.  It was just last month where another "copycat" act was being coordinated in Bolivar, MO for a similar act of a shooting at a movie theater, just like what happened in Colorado.  The media is so eager to talk about it and give it as much attention as possible and I feel they continue to raise the bar for the next person to do even more damage.  

No matter the number of lives lost, one is enough. A lot of people, including myself, struggle even more with this latest one where such young children's lives were taken and I just can't comprehend the question, "why did this happen?".  This isn't the time to argue the gun control stance some may have.  As a gun owner, I know where my support with our 2nd Amendment stands.  The issues I feel that need to be addressed are why did a person feel the need to carry out the crime they committed and what indicators were on the surface that could have possibly prevented this?  Normally there are signs along the way, or patterns given that have to be taken seriously, that need to be further discussed and the appropriate assistance available for those that need it to get help.  The media has a lot of great capabilities if put to good use.  Let's begin with pushing more positive news stories, those that we smile or laugh at when read versus those that we cringe at.  Stop giving so much attention to those heartless souls that have no regard for human life. 

 Last, I've been happy to read all of my friends comments who have children and that they were happy to hug them, spend time with them and tell them they love them.  I may not be a parent, but I do appreciate the care I see given to your children.  Never stop doing that and remember this Christmas, it isn't about gifts or material things, it is about being together.  I can think of many people who would love nothing more than to just spend one more Christmas with their loved one.  God bless you and your families.

My thoughts and prayers are with the community of Newtown.
May God comfort them and give them peace as only He can.

* * * * * * * * * *
 My aunt is expected to recover from her fall, but it will be a while yet before she gets to go home.  Her blood pressure has been too low, she's not able to eat very much and is still unsteady on her feet.  The huge knot on her forehead has gone down considerably and her eye is opening about half way now, but the bruising all over her face and neck is quite a sight.  She's been having trouble sleeping as well.  At age 86, her recovery will take much longer than we would like.  There is discussion about her going into a rehab facility for therapy after the hospital releases her.   I'm so sorry this has happened to her, but very thankful that it wasn't worse.

In other news, I do have my house decorated for Christmas and am trying to get all those remaining little details done.  I'm very much mindful since all that has happened, that the only thing really important is that my family be together to share the joys of  Christmas and celebrate the greatest gift of all...the birth of our Savior.

Until next time...

24 comments:

  1. You have a very wise and compassionate son, Cheryl. You should be very proud of him.

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  2. Thank you for sharing your son's words. I definitely agree about the media. It is time to stop sensationalizing these terrible tragedies. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    Hugs,
    Laura

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  3. Heartfelt, so so touching........Love the picture of the Cardinal, beautiful......Blessings Francine.

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  4. Thank you for blogging....

    Thank you for sharing your son's insightful words.

    Thank you for the update on your aunt.

    Thank you for understanding that for us to blog, is not showing insensitivity.

    Just as to bury ourselves (and thus, our families) in Mourning/Sadness, does nothing for anyone. Except add Darkness to the world.

    Hugs...

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  5. Cheryl, you son said it so eloquently. I couldn't possible agree any more than I do. I, too, believe the media bears some of the responsibility for these acts... I will be enjoying my family with a special bittersweet appreciation this Christmas... blessings ~ tanna

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  6. Am so happy to hear that your aunt is doing so much better. Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a great week.

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  7. I agree with your son, every word. thanks for sharing this with us. so true that it will take more time to heal at age 86.. i pray now that she will heal more quickly than normal and be able to come home instead of the rehab. i know it makes it harder at this time of the year. merry Christmas and enjoy your family.

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  8. Beautifully said, Cheryl. I am so glad your aunt is coming along so well. Have a nice week! Twyla

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  9. Your son said that so well. I agree with him on all levels. There is too large a gap in the care of the mentally ill in this country. Though people see all the signs, there is nothing to be done given the current laws and ways of dealing with such issues. The media? Well, I shall not even go there.

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  10. we all need to slow down and consider what truly matters most.

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  11. Cheryl, what a thoughtful post. All I can say is Amen. Your aunt will continue to be in my prayers.

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  12. Oh and I'm so sorry that your aunt is not recuperating as quickly as you would like to see. She's a strong person to have done this well after her fall and I am sure that now that recovery has begun, she may surprise you yet. Rehabs are usually wonderful places for a little extra TLC before going home.

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  13. Your son echoed my thoughts often in his piece. Especially how all the media attention makes the next nut job want to top the horror the previous one inflicted. We give the monsters too much press and put the really good people on page 12.

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  14. I am still left with no words about Newtown and so sad for the children and adults that were shot. So sad. I am happy to hear that your Aunt is doing better Cheryl. Your son's words are what I was thinking.

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  15. Thanks for sharing your son's thoughts. This has been a sad time for all of us. I pray that people like Adam get the help they need before more shootings occur. I have an 18 month old grandson in daycare and I thought how could I go on if something happened to him. My heart goes out to all these families, including Adam's family.
    Thanks for visiting my blog and your kind words. I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year.Love, Marie

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  16. Thank you for sharing these thoughts with us.

    Continuing to pray; included in my prayers will be your sweet aunt.
    Wishing her a speedy recovery.

    {{hugs}}
    K.

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  17. I read your son's post and certainly agree. Thanks you for sharing it. I'm about as ready for Christmas as I can be except for getting a few gift cards. I must say it's hard to feel 'jolly' when I think of all the grieving parents who will not be able to give their little children the gifts they have all wrapped and tagged. How sad. I have been doing a lot of praying for the Lord to comfort them.
    Mery Christmas to you and your family.

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  18. I agree with your son point of view on this terrible tragedy. Thanks for sharing it with us. Blessings to you. Pamela

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  19. I continue to be relieved about your aunt. Owning a gun for target practice or to protect ourselves is one thing. But having an automatic weapon that spits out tons of bullets non- stop, there is no reason to have those. They should be only for law enforcement. I hope something is done, this is a terrible price to pay for total freedom. Too much freedom is not a good thing. I am only saying my own opinion, and we can be free to have an open discussion on this.

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  20. Your son is one smart young man... The media has done nothing but just make this whole situation WORSE... There's so much pain --and the media just seems to feed on people's pain and grief...

    Let those poor people grieve --and leave them ALONE...Our country is so screwed up in so many ways --beginning with the media....

    And then there's our poor Govt --who wants to 'fix' the problem.. Of course, to them --the only thing to do is to make some new rules for all of us to abide by (like gun-control).....

    There's so much that needs to happen--beginning with each and everyone of us putting God in our lives... Our country has moved away from God---and problems like this will just continue to get worse for us.

    Sorry about your aunt--but as you said, it could have been worse...

    Merry Christmas, my friend.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  21. Very well said. I agree that we need to look at people and learn the signs and figure out what kind of care they need BEFORE they get to the point where they start shooting people.
    Wishing you a very happy Christmas!

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  22. Beautiful Cheryl, so glad you were able to share this!

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  23. I can;t get it off my mine either -t hose little babies...

    Glad you aunt is going to be okay - will she have to go to a nursing home?

    And I bet your house is pretty decorated.

    sandie

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  24. I am so far behind and running out of time tonight...so going to not say much except your son said a lot of what I feel.

    I have said for a long time that the news shows need to balance out the bad by telling some good, heart warming stories each night. All we hear is negative...

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