For Me, this was 9/11

Warning: this is another serious post.  One that makes me very emotional, but I wanted it recorded. As we all know, December 14, 2012 was a very tragic day.  This was the day that 26 people (mostly small children) lost their lives in an elementary school shooting.  For me, this was worse than 9/11.  This was kids.  This felt personal.  No, I do not know any of the people involved, but being kids, it felt personal.  Many moments over the following days/week made me an emotional wreck...

...My heart first broke yes, for the ones who died, but then immediately for the surviving kids and the lifelong struggle they would have as a result of this terror.

...Then I saw images of families learning of their children's deaths.  So heart wrenching.  I cannot even begin to imagine it.

...the hero teachers - how wonderful are they, some giving their lives for their students.

...the mental health of the shooter - as I pondered on this I feel so bad for the mom who never got her son the help he needed.

I hate guns.  That is all I can say.  No, I don't think banning them is the answer.  People will still find a way to do the damage they want to do whether they have a gun or not.  It is just so sad to me that this one individual opted to target a place where he knew he'd be killing children.

I love my kids.

I found this poem on facebook I think, it made me cry all over again, and even now as I re-read it, it is so sad.

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, 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."

Isn't that powerful??  The television show The Voice did an emotional tribute to the children and SNL had children singing Silent Night at the beginning of their show.

I think the best thing I found to bring me some sort of comfort were the words to the Christmas song "I heard the bells on Christmas day"

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”