When I heard about it, it was Scott, pointing to a CNN-tuned t.v. in a Burger King in Grand Cayman, saying, "Look, a school shooting."
I learned the basics through the news they broadcasted on the cruise ship that day and the next. I saw facts and details on blogs, Twitter, etc. I saw the safety letter my school district sent out to our faculty, staff, and parents. But I didn't read too far into my school emails because I was just so thrilled to be in Pennsylvania (flu or not!) and wanted nothing to do with that state of Alaska.
But then, I spent some time with our niece last week. She's 7. First grade. She lives in Pennsylvania.
And she's so smart! Like, really smart! (Like, smarter-than-some-of-my-4th-graders-smart...)
And she believes in Santa. And she adores her Uncle Scott. And we opened presents early for Christmas. And she lets me fix her hair. And she reads to me.
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| She glazed us a clay ornament. The kid is 7, sees me twice a year, and she spells my name right. |
"This is what those 20 kids were before Dec. 14: they were just like her."
I went shopping for an outfit for her.
Now I think, "Those kids won't get to wear their new Christmas clothes."
I watched her open gifts that had been purchased and wrapped weeks ago*.
Now I think, "Those kids won't get to open their gifts."
Then I started reading about the kids. And looking at their pictures. It's something I advise you TO do and NOT TO do at the same time. It's a sad process, but I couldn't stop.
I read every article I could find the other night.
I thought about the teachers. Would I jump on top of my students like this teacher did? I don't know. How many of you could say you'd really do that?
Anyway, as I hugged Jordynn good-bye the other night, I thought about all those poor families. I'm glad, really glad, that I was able to gain some perspective on this situation.
Some bloggers dedicated cookies and crafts to the victims at Sandy Hook last week. I was out of town then, but I want to repost my favorite cookie from when I was 7 years old. You should go make them with a kiddo today.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies.
*Would you believe that we forgot her gifts? We had to buy her new ones (books, of course). Aunt-and-uncle-of-the-year, right?
Sharing at Walkabout Wednesday and Random Wednesday
