Newtown

I have been struggling with coming to terms with exactly what happened in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday. I know that I live entire states away from Connecticut, but I still cannot fathom what unfolded there on Friday morning. On Friday night I avoided social media sites because I could not comprehend or understand.

I still don't. I never will. Will anybody?

Today my family was talking about the different rumors we had heard. My cousin, Alex, who works as a second grade teacher at South Elementary, told us that she is now forced to think about where she would hide her kids. She described how unsafe the portables are and how she has no clue what she would do. It made me sick. We shouldn't have to think like this.

I finally brought myself to read the Star Tribune today and think I was able to finally realize that this was indeed "real life." As stupid as it sounds, this doesn't seem like it could be a true story. But it is. One of my Facebook friends expressed how nervous she was about sending her kids to school tomorrow. A teacher commented on her status:

"But, step back and know your childs' teachers will care and protect them. I know I would take a bullet for my students. It has to be part of my job. Unfortunate that our society is that way, but parents entrust in us to care for their child and it won't stop with academics and emotional well-being. Your children's teachers will take care of them."

This is true. Thank God for the teachers that day who sacrificed their lives for their students. 

While this tragedy has many people talking about enforcing stricter gun control laws, I think people are right in addressing the issue of mental health. There are people in our country who have serious issues, and the media is not helping their case. 

My thoughts and prayers are with the Newtown community, but also with the entire nation as they struggle to overcome their fear.