Sandy Hook Elementary School | Taking The World On With A Smile!

#26Acts – Are You In?

December 23, 2012 Karen 19 comments

There is no amount of human kindness that could come from this, that I could possibly use to make sense of this senselessness. ~ Kavst

That’s what I said in last week’s post, A Stranger’s Grief.

Part of my despair was in having such an overwhelming feeling of helplessness. What could I possibly do to help anyone, in this situation? It is human nature to want to aid in the face of crisis and while I still can’t imagine anything coming from the senselessness that occurred last Friday in Newtown, Conn. that could possibly help to make sense of what happened, I must admit to being pretty blown-away by the now world-wide, multitude of random acts of human kindness that have spawned from Ann Curry’s tweet earlier this week.

Her remarks challenge people everywhere to DO something to honor the victims of last week’s massacre.

I have no consoling words that might help anyone and I don’t believe that in hindsight we will glean any kind of lesson or understanding from this event. ~ Kavst

BUT……

I can be kind.

We should never really need a reason to be kind but sometimes we need inspiration and I am inspired to Act– kindly.

As borrowed from my friend Andy who posted on the same subject earlier this week over at OUR LIFE IN 3D:

The idea is simple (courtesy of NPR):

‘Do “26 acts of kindness” — one for each of the 20 children and 6 adults killed last Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.’

This, I can do. Thousands of people all over the world have heard this call and are doing it, too. And while they are not meant to console, these Acts are meant to honor.

Whether it’s Making a Snowflake, saying a prayer, sending a long over-due note to a friend, paying for a stranger’s meal or groceries, giving an umbrella to someone waiting for the bus on a rainy day or buying boots for a homeless man; whether it is to someone you know or a complete stranger; whether it is public or anonymously, it’s been said, that no act of kindness is too small and that the impact of an act of kindness should never be underestimated.

I can be kind and commit to an act of kindness. I can commit to 20, 26 even 28 random acts of kindness.

This, I can do. This, I will do.

So, YES Ann Curry- I’m in.

Are you?

Wishing Everyone a Happy Holiday Season Filled With

Peace, Joy and Random Acts of Kindness!

Photo Credit #1 DO – Google Images

Photo Credit #2 Inspire To Act/NBC News

Categories: Attitude, Grief, Kindness Tags: Ann Curry, Kindness, Newtown, Random act of kindness, Sandy Hook Elementary School, Twitter

A Stranger’s Grief

December 16, 2012 Karen 10 comments

One of the things that had a profound effect on me upon giving birth and becoming a mother, was the almost instantaneous and overwhelming feeling of love I felt within my heart, for not only my child but for all children. Within the first few weeks of my son’s life, I will always remember how it struck me that what seemed like all-of-a-sudden, children were my concern, all children. It’s a gift I think we receive innately when we become parents, so I don’t think I am unique in feeling this deep sense of caring for the well-being of children in general.

Incomprehensible.

The tragedy that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday is simply incomprehensible.

Heartbroken.

Like so many other people, parents; moms, I am heartbroken. The magnitude of this loss fills me with pure, raw sadness. My heart is overflowing with deep sorrow and intense grief for the families and their suffering.

Guilty.

I am guilty of avoiding the internet and television in an attempt to circumvent reports and updates on this massacre. I desperately want to hide from the truth. I am too weak to find the strength required to stop, watch and listen to the details of what happened. I end up crying each time I try. I am afraid to hear the names; the children’s names. They have released the names of the victims and even though I am a complete stranger to all of them, I can not bear to hear their names.

Consolation.

I have no consolation for anyone. I feel foolish looking for something positive in this. I see no positive side, no possible reason for this happening. No matter how deep I reach, I can not find anything soothing to say. I have no consoling words that might help anyone and I don’t believe that in hindsight we will glean any kind of lesson or understanding from this event. There is no amount of human kindness that could come from this, that I could possibly use to make sense of this senselessness.

Each and every parent who sent their child off to school at the end of last week had every expectation that they would meet again at the end of the day.

This is not how I want to be reminded that every day we have with our children is a gift or that life is short — although like every other parent I imagine, I took a moment this weekend to hug my children a little harder and a little longer than usual.

When I drop my children off at school this coming Monday, it will be with a heavy heart and a slight sense of trepidation but at least they will return to school. I will think of them often throughout the day as I will undoubtedly be thinking of those children who will not be returning to school:

Charlotte 6, Daniel 7, Olivia 6, Josephine 7, Ana 6, Dylan 6, Madeleine 6, Catherine 6, Chase 7, Jesse 6, James 6, Grace 7, Emilie 6, Jack 6, Noah 6, Caroline 6, Jessica 6, Avielle 6, Benjamin 6, Allison 6.

And the educators who served them:

Rachel 29, Dawn 47, Anne Marie 52, Lauren 30, Mary 56, Victoria 27.

Photo Credit #1 ~ Google Images

Newtown Victims/NYMAG.COM