The events this past Saturday in Connecticut have left me feeling very sad and worried about the future of our children and I'm sure many of you readers have been feeling the same way. Things like this make me stop and think about the things in life that are truly important.
Like love.
A friend's child noted that just as 26 lives were cut short at Sandy Hook Elementary, there are 26 letters in the alphabet.
And out of a conversation with some blogging friends was born the idea to act in love and remembrance, to overshadow evil with acts of kindness.
In this holiday season, it seems especially appropriate for us to choose to (be the good graphic)
So we each picked a letter.
I chose S. Spending quiet time together.
I was sewing when my 3 year old asked me to play with her. Instead of playing, we laid on the ground with some pillows under the Christmas tree together and picked out our favorite ornaments. I told her who had made which ones. I though about how important it is to just be with each other sometimes. Not doing anything, maybe just looking up at the sky outside or at a Christmas tree together.
As the sister of a boy who was shot down randomly on the street on his way home many years ago, I know how the loss of a loved one can tear apart a family and how important it is to try to see the good in life after an event like what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Maybe the only good that comes from losing a loved one tragically is the special awareness it gives to those left behind of how important it is to just spend time with those we love while they are here.
Spending quiet time together during this holiday is something I want to do more of. I also want to pray more. I will try to pray for the families of Sandy Hook.
Here are 26 ideas you can try to pass the love on. Just little things and I'm sure you can think of some things too.....
Here are some other blogs participating in the ABC's of Love project today. Just click on a button to visit and read what they are sharing today.
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Oh Justine, such a beautiful post but also very a sad one. I cannot imagine the feelings these families must have. It is probably a thing one never gets over. Thinking about your mam too. Such grief and what the cost is to a whole family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. I wish you and your family all the very best for xmas and the coming year.
I really appreciate this, Justine. So sorry about your brother. It's hard to imagine a way forward from something like this. Thanks so much for sharing these sentiments as a place to start.
ReplyDeleteWell written....I also had a great loss of my daughter last year, she was only 19 and she had the biggest heart... some stupid boys decided to race spur of the moment, not thinking about my daughter Ashley who was a passenger in one of the vehicles...A raised jeep cherokee...they are so dangerous. I'm sorry about your brother...I know how you must feel and my other daughter has to try to carry on and it is a difficult but neccessary thing to do. Pray for strength to carry on and remember the good things.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you and your family
Justine. I am so sorry that you and your family had to endure such a tragedy. You are very right. Sometimes the most quality time we can spend with our kids is unplanned and relatively unexciting. Thank you for the reminder to just be and be present. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post Justine. Your words flowed beautifully. It is so hard to put together words at a time like this. My heart is just aching over this; it keeps tearing me up inside. I'll be doing other things and then it just overtakes my thoughts and emotions. I too worry about the future for our children. My husband reminds me to take one day at a time. I think about the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, and friends and other family members. I pray God heals their hearts.
ReplyDeleteI love this post, Justine. I love the reminder to just be with our kids sometimes. Perhaps we'll lay under our tree tonight too! :)
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful moment and thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Justine!
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