By now everyone has heard of the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre. I was shocked when I watched the news on the murders that took place Friday in Newtown, Connecticut. I was at the hospital for an appointment when I saw the Breaking News flash with CNN’s coverage of this senseless tragedy. Everyone in the waiting room was glued to the newscast. A somber atmosphere filled the room.
The night before the Pretty Lady and I attended Nathaniel’s school Christmas musical. I was paying close attention to the kindergarteners, first and second graders. As they marched onto the stage there was a young man with his shirt half out of his pants. A woman’s voice from the audience admonished him to tuck in his shirt.
You could see the look of frustration on his face as he responded, “Now?” The youth proceeded to tuck in his shirt and the audience applauded afterwards. As I was watching them I was fascinated by their appearances and expressions. I was reminded how they are little persons with their own hopes and dreams.
As they began singing you could see how some were really into it and a few were closed mouth staring out in the audience. It reminded me of when Nathaniel was that age, he didn’t sing either. I reflected on how I didn’t sing either when I was in musicals at that age as well. As I was listening to the performance I was thinking about their futures and how one day they’ll be sitting out in the audience watching their own children. Maybe that’s why there’s a sense of how the murdered children were cheated from their futures.
It’s encouraging to see the world leaders speak out in solidarity of the victims, their families and the effect of this tragedy on the United States. It was surprising to learn how the majority of nations have experienced similiarly incidents of violent and deadly attacks against children.
In the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III said he and the Filipino people stand beside the United States
with bowed heads, yet in deep admiration over the manner in which the American people have reached out to comfort the afflicted, and to search for answers that will give meaning and hope to this grim event.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed those sentiments in a letter to Obama expressing his horror at the “savage massacre,” saying his country knows the “shock and agony” such cruel acts can bring.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin called the events “particularly tragic” given the majority of the victims were children. “Vladimir Putin asked Barack Obama to convey words of support and sympathy to the families and friends of the victims and expressed his empathy with the American people,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
President Obama’s comments after the Newtown killings remind us what to embrace after a tragedy. The Newtown community, he said,
needs us to be at our best as Americans, and I will do everything in my power as president to help, because while nothing can fill the space of a lost child or loved one, all of us can extend a hand to those in need, to remind them that we are there for them, that we are praying for them, that the love they felt for those they lost endures not just in their memories, but also in ours.”
By being our best selves it might help in adverting tragedies like this in the future.
Tips to Be at Our Best
- Be a Person of Honor and Integrity
- Help Others
- Have Goals
- Remain True to Your Values
- Allow Others to Be Themselves
- Forgive yourself and others
