O my girlfriends, hasn’t it been a difficult time? I am so sorry. We need a wonderful old Christmas song. ♥ We need to feed our souls.
I burn a candle; sit in the dark with the Christmas tree lights, and say prayers. I let tears fall, and count my blessings. Counting my blessings is 
what I do to honor those lost lives. Loving the sky, the trees, the air that God gave us. I bow to our humanity. I watched the news for as long as I could stand it. Then I did what feels right; I fought for my own child’s soul of innocence that still lives inside me; and turned the channel. Lincoln is playing at the movie theater in town, we are going today. Last night we watched Miracle on 34th Street and after that White Christmas; affording me more sofa sobbing. I made Cream of Rice this morning, with chopped apples and cinnamon . . . I painted a little thatched-roof cottage in England; Jack never stops climbing into my lap with his ball; Girl Kitty wraps her warm self around my legs as I sleep. I feel so very blessed, so very sad. I wish I could do more. But I won’t forget.
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
♥ Kahlil Gibran
“We are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself…”
I watched THIS, and cried, was reminded what a very beautiful world it is, filled with wonderful caring people.
It’s another day. How will you honor the life you have? Think small. ♥ XOXO
Thank you Sue. Having a hard time getting on with what I need to do, feeling so much sadness. I was a teacher’s aide for many years and cannot even imagine what it was like for those at that school. Tears just keep flowing everytime I think about those little darling lives, snatched away.
Their are 20 more angels in heaven now. Poem is beautiful and hymn too. God bless us one and all and help us through this sadness.
Susan thanks for your reflections and voicing for us what we are all feeling.
Why do bad things happen to good people? I don’t have the answer. Good and bad happens to all people. God does not promise bad things will not happen. I go to these promises God gives us from Isaiah 43
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
Did anyone see the “COMFORT DOGS” that came 800 miles last evening to be available to the people outside the memorial service. I had never heard of this group but the dogs were just there to be hugged and petted and to comfort those with such sad hearts. It caught my attention and what a wonderful, quiet way to bring comfort at this time of need.
Never heard of this…..how wonderful. Sometimes the quiet presence of a pet is needed and a healing touch. How kind.
Beautiful poem choice Susan….I have shed tears for those kids too. I have been avoiding the news because it feels like too much for my new mother heart to bear, but this morning I was watching the Today Show before taking my son to daycare and there was a children’s choir singing Silent Night in dedication to the shooting victims. I started crying as I buried my nose in my son’s hair, inhaling his wonderful smell, and thinking of the aching hearts of twenty mothers right now. The lump in my throat won’t go away 🙁
My eyes hurt from crying so much these past few days. I can not imagine how the families are able cope right now. Thank you for this post Susan. Reading all of the girlfriends comments has been like sitting down with friends having a conversation. It helps. The only consolation: those little babies and their caregivers are all in heaven with no fear…only love and peace.
..and He will wipe out every tear from their eye, and mourning, nor outcry, nor death will be anymore…He will bring to ruin, those ruining the earth.
I have to turn to our higher power…and remember to do so for not only this, but for everything.
Also, to never take for granted the little face I know and love. To find and share joy in the little moments of every day. My grandson is a kindergartener, who is 5. I fussed over him so much all weekend…God Bless the children, and those suffering.
Your posting is beautiful. Nothing answers why, but, we all need to figure out how we will move on from here and what we can do. Thank you for tweeting Joe’s piece from Morning Joe. This morning, he was right on the mark.
I was proud of him.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for the beautiful post, which I read through tear -filled eyes. I had the most difficult morning at school today. I just wanted to wrap my arms around each and every student I teach and not let them go; I could NOT stop wondering, “What if it had been 20 of them?” I was so, so happy to see them today, even more than usual. Each one is so precious…I grieve for the parents and my fellow teachers in CT. There are just no more words…
xoxo,
queenmum
One really good thing about all of this hideousness is the LIGHT it has shined on how wonderful our teachers are. Lately I’d been hearing “teachers this and teachers that, teachers union this and teachers union that, bad teachers . . .” and it drove me crazy, because I do think teachers are heroes. Their influence meant everything to me growing up.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Sending you hugs…
xoxo,
queenmum
Oh how our hearts ache for the families, how can we comprehend such loss? However, thank you for your thoughts and words of comfort, faith and hope. -r-
Thank you Susan, for the link. I am so very sad about what happened, and while I have no children of my own, I feel so much sorrow for the people in CT. Your link was just perfect. Kindness, joy, love and compassion – it is all around us. Thank you for the uplifting reminder. Pam K from Dallas, TX
Thank you. Your quotes and personal reflections touched my heart and put into words what I have been thinking.
Nancy Whitmore
Lee’s Summit, MO
Everyone else’s comments have so beautifully-said so much of I want to say. Thank you Sue and Girlfriends – every comment was wonderful.
The only thing I can think to add is this: Please don’t let this be the end of the conversation. CNN aired a tweet they’d received on Saturday: [paraphasing]. One guy TRIES to use a shoe bomb and now ALL of us have to take our shoes off at the airport. Nine school shootings since Columbine and still no changes.” This time, PLEASE – make your anger, grief, sadness lead to something. Prayers and spirituality are needed in today’s world more than ever before. But I would suggest that if Friday has shown us anything worthwhile it is that there is a time when even prayer is not enough. Remember, God helps those who help themselves. Tangible action is needed. Plain old common sense is needed. The Founding Fathers did not intend the Second Amendment to mean that ordinary citizens could own military weapons – and everyone knows it. Even the NRA. There is so much that can be done – and NOTHING the People cannot do when they work together. Contact your elected representatives. ALL of them – at every level – Federal, state and local. Make your feelings very clear about mental health initiatives [or lack of], assault weapons, the emphasis on violence in our culture, people who make MILLIONS on violent games and movies etc. And when you’ve written and e-mailed everyone you can think of, do it again! Phone, write, e-mail, tweet!!! Inundate your representatives! Politicians WILL pay attention. Remember also – decisions are made by those who show up! We can give meaning to the lives of the 26 lost at Sandy Hook School if we make something better because of it.
FYI – for anyone who may not know, you can find names and contact information for all Federal, state & local officials easily at http://www.c-span.org – look for the field labeled “Resources” on the right side of the page.
Janet…I would like to talk to you re an earlier post about Mrs. Leckinger the teacher. I knew her very well if it’s the same Mrs. Leckinger.
Hi, Elizabeth. I think I did answer back before but you probably never saw it because I like to read everyone’s comments and consequently I often get behind. How in the world Sue can keep up is beyond me – she must be an Evelyn Wood speed-reading graduate! :>) Anyway, I hope you see this one. My master teacher during student teaching was June Leckinger at School 39 in Rochester, very near Rochester General Hospital. She was terrific and to this day I use things I learned from her. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and thanks for writing. :>)
I loved this – someone sent it to me but I don’t know who wrote it I’m sorry to say… Just wanted to share it. It was titled, Sandy Hook Elementary School
Twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
When 20 beautiful children stormed through Heaven’s gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy; they didn’t know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“This is heaven” declared a small boy. “We’re spending Christmas at God’s house”.
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their Savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only Heaven can bring
Those children all flew into the arms of their King.
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of Mom and Dad.”
Then He looked down on Earth, at the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!
May this country be delivered from the hands of fools
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools! ”
Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“Come now my children let me show you around. ”
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”
How beautiful!
Thank you, once again…. for saying just the right thing that lifts our spirits.
Thanks Susan for being YOU. As always, your message is filled with beauty, love and wisdom. The poem was lovely. I will pass it on.
One would have to be devoid of all emotion, to not be affected by such a tragedy.
We have all cried many tears for the innocent victims and certainly for the victims’ families.
I don’t know how they will ever find a way to heal in the wake of this horrific event. But an entire mourning nation will continue to keep them in our hearts and in our prayers.
I think we honor those children and those amazing teachers by making sure this violence doesn’t become just part of our normal lives. That way they would be responsible for the changes we make that save children forevermore.
Thank you for the comforting quotes and artwork, Susan. Your thoughts helped me in my struggle to process this sadness. I read that a floral arrangement on the altar Sunday was a large heart with a jagged line through it; a broken heart. It’s so horrible, but through God’s grace and the outpouring of love from the entire world, those families will find ways to cope with their unspeakable grief and anger. We should pray that our politicians can see their way clear to doing something about assault weapons, once and for all, and be immune to the lobbyists. Thanks to you and all who commented; I especially like the restoring faith in humanity link. 🙂
This morning, during a regular visit, my doctor and I discussed Friday’s tragedy. She had to tell her young son & daughter (while keeping the news turned off) what had happened She used it as a teaching moment to again explain why they couldn’t have toy guns or play various video games. She agrees that a three-pronged approach is needed: gun control & banning of assault weapons & the ammunition used in them; increased support to mental health care including the teen test model; control of video games and other entertainment content.
I’ve decided that as a Christmas present to myself and in memory of all victims, I will write letters to not just my state representatives (our congresswoman lives right in our neighborhood & we see her frequently) but those in states such as Nevada where our daughter lives & to Wyoming, my native state!
My doctor, friends and I have talked about how we have cried all weekend and are determined to help things change! As one of the SB address labels I have says “There is nothing wrong with the world that a sensible woman could not settle in an afternoon”! It doesn’t give the source – We just can’t be silent any longer!! Maybe we should include a link to this blog to our representatives as an indication of the mood of many in the nation and abroad in the aftermath of this year’s violence!!
Now getting off the soap box – one aspect of the aftermath of violent acts is this anecdote: It was interesting to discover this morning (listening to PRI’s Here & Now) that Andy Murray was a student at Dunblane School in Scotland in 1996 when a classroom filled with children was attacked! He learned to play tennis at the center that was build with memorial funds after the attack! Let’s hope our legacy can be not just new laws but a change in our national consciousness (& conscience)! 😉
What a beautiful gift … I have always believed that quote, all my girlfriends are so sensible, almost all women I have ever been around have that “protect the child and the good things of the earth” sensibility. It’s just our way. That quote, by the way, is attributed to Jean Giradoux. Thank you Kerry!
we send our prayers to those families who have lost an innocent one….and know that they now are wrapped in the arms of a loving angel …………..
I found you from Vee’s blog, and I was so blessed by the reading of this post. Your words, a nd the words of others you were inspired to share spoke directly to the way I feel in my heart.
I feel the same way you do Debbie … I’m inspired by the coming together this light and all the thoughtful expressions of hope.
THANK YOU!!
My heart aches for our nation, to experience such senseless violence–even from across the country. We must find a way to keep our priceless children safe. I’ve cried buckets of tears for our loss, and cannot begin to fathom the depth of dispair the parents of those children feel. I also have lost a child, though not to violence, and can tell you that the empty ache does not go away even though it was a natural cause. What really made me most angry today, was that my daughter in Texas told me that this morning a man in San Antonio called a school there to tell them that he had a gun and was on his way there. That man was obviously a thrill-seeker, and, though people like that probably won’t follow through, they are sick too, and should be locked up. Hopefully, they will be caught.
I truly appreciate reading your blog today and the responses from warm, kind-hearted girlfriends who are expressing their feelings.
I am so glad you are here Anita … xo
Loved your post. So kind and thoughtful. I work at an elementary school and entered the building this morning with a heavy heart, but so pleased to see all our children’s smiling faces. A lot of the intermediate grades, 4 through 6, watch CNN Student News as part of their day. But I knew that would not be the case today, so I forwarded the post about Caine’s Arcade to the teachers, thinking they could show that instead of CNN news. So they did and the kids loved the story! So uplifting, just what we needed today. So thanks, Susan, for bringing joy to so many students today. (P.S. That video is a must-see video. It will bring tears of joy, which is something we need right now.)
Good Regina, you are doing a beautiful job! Here is the link to Caine’s Arcade if anyone would like to see it. Thank you!
I think this kind of darkness is what makes the light of Christmas shine all the brighter- why we NEED that hope. I cry and find comfort that we are never alone in our pain and suffering. And then, we have to say NO to the fear and just keep on going. That way, the darkness doesn’t win.
So wonderfully said Jennie. xo Thank you.
We as mothers, grandmothers, aunts and as women have a need inside us to protect the young. Events in Newtown scream at us for action. May we all do what we can; letters to our representatives in the house and senate, the white house, and local newpapers calling for change so that 20 more little souls, their parents, family and communities never again have to live through this. Thank you Susan for starting this conversation. It will help us heal.
I love what everyone is saying, thank you Kate!
Good Morning Susan!
Good Morning to Each and Every Girlfriend!
Susan…Your new “Feeding Your Faithful Soul” is so heartfelt. What you wrote, as you went about your day, is beautiful. Gladys Taber’s quote…ending with “…and believing there is hope for the world is a way to move towards it”… is inspiring!
All the girlfriends” comments are wonderful too, as they speak from their hearts and try to understand this tragedy and express their feelings. I, too, am trying to understand it all and like you, Susan, I am so very sad and will never forget what happened to those sweet children and brave adults.
Today I wrote some Christmas cards…today I phoned my daughter, Tracey Ann, for no particular reason, just to tell her I love her…today I spied a little snow bird outside my window…today I read your Post and many of the girlfriend’s posts…and today I am “feeding my soul”.
Luv from Dorothy Ann on Cougar Mountain, Washington
I fineally listened to the news last night and was just horrified!!! The shooter was mental and his mother has all these weapons and was teaching her son how to shoot and went to the ranges for him to learn. He had a condition where he could not feel pain mentally nor could he discern in his mind and she did this to help him!! She was NUTS too, to think her son could be trusted. Then the senator from Texas said, we need this kind of weapon to protect your sleves from our goverment. What is he thinking!!! I had no idea we live under a tyrannical goverment… these men will give any excuse to keep weapons to feed their egos! GOD help us !!!
Hi Sue,
Thank you for finding the right words to say in your beautiful post. I read each word a few times and everyones comments and then I clicked on the link for the 26 moments and that truly helped. I inturn sent that link to family and friends.
I too have cried so many tears….my Heart just aches and I feel at a loss for words. I want to simply say…my HEARTFELT SYMPATHY SENT WITH LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, AND HUGS TO ALL WHOM WERE AFFECTED IN NEWTOWN.
On one of our local news station this morning here is an address to send a letter or a card : Messages of Condolences
PO BOX 3700
Newtown, CT 06470
Plus this Friday: December 21st at 9:30am the Govenor of CT has requested a moment of silence and for all churches across our State to ring the Church bells
26 times in Memory of all the Beautiful Children and the Adults.
Thank you once again Sue.
How beautiful Barb. Thank you SO much for that address!
Susan, I liked how well you handled a very sensitive subject. A country brought to its knees in sadness. I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes from the great Mother Teresa: “There are no great things, only small things done with great love.” She also responded with a question about how to promote world peace once by saying, “Go home and love your families.” To love one another. We can all do that and oh what a difference it can make. XXO
So right Teresa! Love that . . .
Hello Susan. Our hearts are broken. Thank-you for trying to help us start to heal. I signed the petition on your latest post to stop the sale of guns. Hopefully as a nation we will be heard.
We have to keep trying. xoxo Thank you Nicole.
This was beautiful and I needed a reminder of the good things people can do… Thank you.
It’s been hard to put in words what so many are feeling then I heard this song on the radio this morning – thought I would share the lyrics to the song “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North:
I’m tired
I’m worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes to keep on breathing
I’ve made mistakes
I’ve let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world
And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left
Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that’s frail and torn
I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn
I know I need
To lift my eyes up
But I’m too week
Life just won’t let up
And I know that You can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left
Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that’s frail and torn
I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn
And my prayers are wearing thin
I’m worn even before the day begins
I’m worn I’ve lost my will to fight
I’m worn so heaven so come and flood my eyes
Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart that’s frail and torn
I want to know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Yes all that’s dead inside will be reborn
Though I’m worn
Yeah I’m worn
Susan, you express the feelings of so many, many of us. We have sat in horror for so long hearing of the senseless killing of our fellow Americans by someone with a gun who has no business having one. I think it is time for the moms, grandmas, aunties, sisters, girlfriends to speak up and keep speaking until someone listens. We do not need assault weapons or high rounds of ammo for ANY REASON except going to war. Sadly, some have used them to go to war on our friends and neighbors. I am a retired 2nd grade teacher and I shudder every time I think of loosing even one of the children I have taught. They are “my kids” and I will always think of them that way. Keep up the positive and heartwarming work you do girlfriend.
Thank you Linda!
Many years ago my mother, a delightful kinder and 1st grade teacher applied to a california state ed grant to become a storyteller and she took on the persona of Mother Goose. She wore a wonderful costume with a real welsh hat and she carried baskets of beautiful puppets and magical toys that helped bring the verses to life. She loved to share the rhymes at literacy conferences, schools, libraries and bookstores wherever she could. My mom has been very sick with cancer so she did not know of Friday’s horrific tragedy but she left us to be an angel early this morning. It may be silly but it comforts me to know that the children have Mother Goose with them. She taught school with an endless enthusiasm and with so much dedication and JOY…
Oh Betsy, I love your mom. I’m so very sorry for your loss. What a wonderful picture of her you just gave. Imagine the lives she touched and the happiness she brought! An angel on earth, and now in heaven. xoxo Thank you so much for sharing. Sending love to you and yours.
I have a problem. I really, really, really love the Willard about the wind. I’d like to read your words over and over. And I’m adding your list from that Willard to my goals for next year. I can’t copy it into Word. Will it still be available in the archives, so I can call it up and be thrilled again? If so, how long? Or shall I just take my pen and write it all in my little notebook for future enjoyment?
I know we’re supposed to ask when we want to use something, so here goes – is it okay if we copy things from your blogs to enjoy later? Sometimes I want to just look at special things which make my heart sing, and I’d like a little collection all in one place. For instance, the photo of Jack watching Joe through the window. That’s a keeper and the garden in bloom and the party pictures and some of the quotes you use and Joe’s wonderful Christmas wreaths, and your china hutch all dressed up for a holiday.
This is just for my personal use. All my friends are Branchies, so they can work on their own favorites.
Please let me know. Thank you.
I’m not an expert at saving things, but it seems to me that if you just copy and paste the link to what you want into a saved file, you would always have it. I do that with the things I love, bookmark them too, and so far, it seems they are there later when I need them. Hope this helps Patsy!
I loved the “26 Moments” link you posted. Thank you so much for sharing that; it really meant a lot to see.
It helped me too Mamie!
Susan: Thank you for your recent post. Our pastor on Sunday focused on all the questions we have about the tragic events of 12-11 and 12-18. I live in Oregon, not that far from the mall shooting. Our world is definitely broken in need of hope that can only come from Christ. I appreciate your work and words, I did view the link to the “26 Moments”, it helped me so much.
What a wonderful thing to post addresses where we can voice our comments.
When our two Grand Boys were growing up, they were with me each day until their parents got home from work. I’d never let them watch TV with violent connections. Then, as they grew older, those darn violent videos entered their lives. Again, those type of videos were forbidden in my house. I kept stressing that they needed to fill their minds with happy thoughts. When they reached their mid teens, there wasn’t much I could say. The outside world won. The outside world crept in, funded by adults who made their living off of the young & innocent. And oh, what a living they made off of our youth. Now, kids line up at video stores when a new video comes out, often lining up before daylight. That’s how important these videos are to our youth. Videos all seem to be shooting games with differing worlds as the backdrops. Our daughter wouldn’t allow our Grand Boys to purchase “any” videos that shot people. There is often absolutely no regard for human life in most of these videos. The entertainment business needs to adopt a lot of responsibility for training young minds in believing that death, evil, and violence, are entertaining. Like many of you girlfriends, I have this great sadness in my core, a sadness that won’t soon go away. I see the happy faces of those children in CT, as their pictures are flashed upon the TV screen. I say a prayer that the days they were on this earth were full of love & happiness, for them, & those that loved them. Sandy from Chihuahua Flats
I almost don’t think people really know what’s in them. I don’t think they can imagine!
Girlfriends, What happened to children learning the Commandments? I had those memorized by the time I was in the second grade. Thou shalt not kill was one of them. (Sandy from Chihuahua Flats)
That’s for sure. I had to go to catechism to learn them, but they made sure I did!
Good Morning Sweet Sue…I’ve Been Offline for a few Days… I was Beyond Shocked Beyond Sad Beyond Understanding The Tragedy in Connecticut… I Kept Thinking about Taylor she is 8 & My Nephew Jacey He is 10 & My Nieces Miranda & Marissa & Megan They are 8 & My Son Jonathan a Teacher He’s 30…Then I Cried till My Tears Ran Dry…Then I went Numb I took a Few Days & Truly Prayed for The Families & for Our Nation Those Beautiful Innocent Children & those Brave Teachers are Now Angels in Heaven watching Over Their Families & will Be with God for Christmas…. I Need to Breathe…Tis Christmas I also watched Miracle on 34th Street & White Christmas & Wept….This Year My Tears are Different… I Think We all Feel This…. I Keep Christmas in My Heart All Year…. We Need to Keep Our Loved Ones Closer….& Yes We Need to Count Our Blessings They are Many…. I Love You & Your Blog Sweet Sue….Thank You for Everything! xoxo Poof! 🙂
I knew it would hurt your heart Angie, I figured you’d be back when you could. xoxo
♥ Hugzzz & Always so Much L♥ve To You Sweet Sue & Joe & Girl & Jack! ♥ xoxo Poof! 🙂
Thank you dear Angie!
Merry Christmas, Susan, and thanks so much for taking the time to send us a blog entry on what for most of us is such a busy day — but there’s almost always a couple moments to take the tiniest break to enjoy your thoughts and enthusiasm.
Alice
Beautiful post … thank you.
Susan, I have been reading your blog (and thoroughly enjoying it) backwards all weekend. I clicked on the link to the Buzzfeed article in this post. I’m so glad I did. Dr. Dave Ores (#4) is a very good friend of my brother. He is tattooed from head to toe and not what people typically think of when they think of a doctor. However, I know that he is very involved in his community and often treats people for little or no money. He is a good guy. I’m going to continue to read your blog and look forward to purchasing A Fine Romance. Thanks so much! -Maureen