Because it still hurts, it's discussed. It's talked about and commented on and prayed about by so many people.
Because the Newtown, Connecticut mass murder on December 14, 2012 STILL HURTS, I can't not talk about it.
It's everywhere. It's in the media. It's at work. It's brought up by family, friends, & strangers. It's mentioned in passing to that person you rode in the elevator with. It's on the news. It's online. It's everywhere - because it still hurts. And there continue to be many unanswered questions, many of which may remain unanswered forever. It's just hard to say.
But, on this subject, there have been many beautiful and glorifying tributes to the souls that were lost that day. There is so much sadness to go around, it's sometimes hard to breathe. Sadness for the 27 people whose lives were taken for some unknown reason. Sadness for the families of those victims, both young and old, whom will most likely never be able to think of and experience the holidays the same. Sadness for the survivors whom are now dealing with survivor's guilt and the trauma of witnessing such a tragedy.
I don't watch The Voice, because, let's face it, I watch way too much TV already as it is, and I love my shows dearly, which means no room for new ones. However, I heard about a tribute they did for the victims of the senseless shooting last week and looked for it. How heartwrenching and truly touching is this!
It definitely puts into perspective just how many people lost their lives that day, and just how many were young, innocent children. This also goes to show how much of a big deal the situation is. Like I said, it's everywhere. And don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not complaining! It needs to be broadcast. It needs to touch the heart and souls of people everywhere! Mass murders are a problem. And those poor families...
My heart goes out to everyone touched in some way or affected by this tragedy.
And then you read something like this article from the Global Post, about a 6 year-old-girl who survived:
'A brave six-year-old became the sole survivor of her first grade class at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. becasue she played dead as shooter Adam Lanza went on his rampage. According to a pastor close to her family, the unnamed girl lay among the bodies of her 15 classmates until she thought it was safe to leave. Pastor Jim Solomon told ABC News: "She ran out of the school building covered from head to toe with blood and the first thing she said to her mom was, 'Mommy, I'm OK but all my friends are dead."'Just imagine what she saw in there. Whenever she thinks back on her school memories, just imagine what her thoughts are going to be about first grade. She was so brave and very smart to act as she was already deceased among the bodies of her friends. The article goes on to say that the girl's family was suffering from survivor's guilt because many of their friends were not as lucky and had lost children in the tragedy. Friendships frayed. Tensions rising. Although it is not the family's fault that their child survived and their friends' children didn't, but as a parent, how could you not be upset at them for being able to cling to their child when yours is dead? Such a terrible event, of which these families will be facing the aftermath for years and years. Read the entire article, here.
I also read in a blog I follow of something her mother told her when she was struggling with her grief of loved ones lost, unexpectedly to a tragedy:
Life on this earth is hard, and the Heavenly Father knows that. He loves us so much that He doesn't want us to stay here one single second longer than we have to. When our time is up, He takes us home. It's hard for the rest of us, but it's a gift of love and peace to those who die. Just know that as long as you have a pulse, you have a purpose. Don't take it for granted.
This will be forever burned into my soul and is such an amazing lesson to take away from such a tragedy. I pray that some questions are able to be answered and that the families affected will be able to rebuild their lives, while grieving for their loved ones. Prayer does wonders. Prayer heals. Please, pray. Pray for the families of the victims, pray for the survivors, for the children that saw something no human should ever witness. Pray for the community, that they may continue to band together and help rebuild around such a horrific event. Pray for the nation, that this tragedy does not cause spontaneous reactions that will have lifelong consequences, but that leaders will make the right decisions in assisting those affected by this tragedy and to figure out where and how to help prevent this in the future, if it's even a possibility. Pray for humankind, as a race, that we will listen to our friends and family when they reach out to us for support, help, advice, or just a shoulder to lean on - that we will take the few minutes out of our lives to listen and help in any way we can. Pray for peace - that although their loved were ripped from their lives, that the families of those lost souls will know that their loved ones are at peace with God in His kingdom. Pray for patience, as the nation grieves. Pray, because it still hurts.
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