Dear Friends,
I hope that you will forgive me if I depart briefly from our Hobbit movie and Richard Armitage love fest today to solemnly and respectfully recognize the horrific loss of young life today in Connecticut and the injuries suffered by children in China.
It is so sad and heartbreaking. Our children should be our most protected of everything we hold dear. We have to do better.
Families will be talking with their children tonight, trying to help them understand and reconcile these tragic events when the adults themselves can do neither.
These tragedies remind me of sitting with my 1st & 2nd Grade (6 – 7 year olds) Sunday School students in class the Sunday after 9/11. I didn’t have any answers for them. But my students needed to be able to ask questions and to have reassurance from me that they were safe–even though their parents had certainly already done that.
And maybe that is what we need, too, as adults. To know that we cleave to each other in these times of sorrow. That there is more goodness in the world–and we will find it again. And we can certainly be proactive with fostering goodness in ourselves and others as well.
So whether you pray or not, whether you believe or not, please take a moment to think of these killed and injured children and school staff and their families–in Connecticut and in China. And think also of the children and staff and families left behind with questions and fears. Then remember to hug your loved ones and to let them know that you love them.
And I love you my darlings. Hugs, Grati
P.S. Links to news about the tragedies for those who may not have heard about them are listed below.
But first, I give you a beautifully hopeful song in honor of those who lives were lost or shattered today. Because we need hope today. And one way of honoring their memory is to live our lives fully, purposefully, joyfully–and not take for granted this precious gift of life that is ours:
“Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole Somewhere Over The Rainbow Lyrics”, a video by Dren Tullari
President Obama’s heartfelt response to the shootings in Connecticut:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/world/asia/china-knife-attack/index.html
Something About Love (A) 
Of course we forgive you! Was there ever any doubt? It is only right that you should have written about this and we wouldn’t have had it any other way. Such tragedies need to be in the forefront of our minds even on what could have been a happy day for so many. Sadly this is the reality of the violence we see all too often these days. I pray that in the midst of it, all those involved would be able to find some little bit of comfort, however small a crumb it may be, and that they would feel loving arms around them.
Izzy’s version of “Over the Rainbow” has been a favourite of mine since I first heard it while in Maui. There is something so wonderfully sweet and gentle about the way he sings it.
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Dear Teuchter,
Thank you for your kind note and hopeful words to those who grieve–“that they would feel loving arms around them.” Beautiful!
And this song rendition of “Over the Rainbow” by Izzy is hauntingly poignant–“sweet and gentle” is so appropriate a description. In a day that was neither sweet nor gentle, we need the Izzy’s of the world calling us to remember to hope.
Love & Hugs, Grati
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Hugs back.
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Hugs to you, too!
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12/15/12–Please note that Servetus of the “Me & Richard Armitage” blog has some links for where to donate to help the families who have lost loved ones on her Legenda #57 post (top of the page):
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Of course we forgive you. It’s very sad news… :-(
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Thank you April. These tragedies where children’s lives are lost break my heart.
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12/18/12–“The Voice” tv show poignantly honored those slain with a touching performance of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”:
“Hallelujah – The Voice – Tribute To Those Killed At Sandy Hook Elementary School”
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