OK, what do I want for Christmas this year? Clothing? Nah. Jewelry? Nah. My OnStar installed in the truck? Maybe. Books? Possibly. Period outfit (fancy)? Could be. The Indiana State Parks Inn gift package? Maybe.
I could get 2 uses this year out of a period dress - the Ephiphany dinner and the Conference. Of course I may be attending both of those alone... Maybe I could ride with Kim and Brian to both. And each year I could use the outfit again...
OnStar would be handy, and a safety net for me, especially out on the road.
But what books? No clue.
The State Parks Inn gift package? Well, 2013 entrance fees to all state parks plus 70 buck in gift certificate? Would let me buy some souveniers at Spring Mill, such as mugs, etc., things we can't afford otherwise until this year. I may get this without regards to Christmas!
Someone to come in and clean the house weekly? Oh yeah! But first Kent would have to get it cleaned out.
A new air mattress that is more comfy than what I currently have? Sounds good to me.
To be able to sleep back in the bedroom, with my kitties in bed with me? Yes! New mattresses, better white noise.
Well, of course world peace. Jessica's Elizabeth to beat all the odds and grow up and live a normal life. Nick to never be deployed again. Our financial situation to improve.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Sunday, December 16, 2012
On Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre
How do you write on something that is so morally reprehensible? On Friday, Dec. 14, a 20 year old man who lived in Newtown, CT, killed his mother in their home and then went to the school where she was a teacher and shot 21 children and at least 7 adults. Seven adults were killed; I don't know how many, if any, were injured. I refuse to use the name of this killer even though I know what it is. Using it only gives him fame and calls attention to himself. He doesn't deserve this. His name should be stricken from our memories forever. His dastardly, cowardly deeds should be remembered, but not his name.
Many families now face the challenges of funerals for a child the full week before Christmas. Each of these families will no longer see their child smiling at them on Christmas Day. No longer will they be able to tuck the child in bed of an evening. These parents now face the horrors of outliving a child.
Seven other families face the trials of planning funerals as well. Most of those adults were young; all of them younger than I am, and all of them still in child bearing years. The means that their parents are probably still alive, and those parents, too, have outlived their children.
The world is focusing on the children, so I am focusing on the adults who lost their lives as well. They deserve as much attention as the children are getting. Husbands have lost a wife. Children have lost a mother. Brothers and sisters have lost a sibling. Parents lost a daughter.
Husbands no longer have a wife with which to lay down to sleep at night, their beds forever empty and cold. Husbands no longer have a helpmate in the home, to love and care for the children, no other adult with which to discuss important family matters. No longer is there an adult in the home to say "Sweet dreams" when the bedroom light is turned out and covers pulled up. No longer is their a woman to cuddle with, to say "I love you" to and have it said back at you. Husbands no longer have a wife to kiss goodbye in the morning, to kiss hello of an evening, to kiss goodnight when retiring to bed. Children no longer have a mother to fix a lunch for them, to organize activities in the home, to care for the entire family. Children no longer have a mother to rub that aching tummy or hurting head, to make special treats, to push back the dark after a bad dream, drive them to soccer or basball practice. Children no longer have a mother to confide things to, to referee family squabbles, take the dog for a walk or let the cat out. There will be empty places at the table on Christmas, and for every holiday and family gathering hereafter. Siblings have lost the companionship of their own childhood, their confidants, and in many cases, the voice of reason in the family.
These seven adults were all trying to help shelter the children in their care. Some rushed headlong at the shooter in an effort to stop him and were gunned down mercilessly. All of them are heroines, for all adults killed were women. The killer did not kill any men, only women. He was not so selective with the children, for both boys and girls were killed. But he was very selective with the adults he killed.
This blog entry is not aimed at taking away the horrors of the murder of the 20 children, but acknowledging that there were other victims in that school, adult victims whose families face the same shock and horrors of the families of the children. I've seen so many little things on Facebook honoring just the children. Well folks, 7 adults died too, most of them died as heroines, protecting the lives of the other children. Those lives need to be celebrated and remembered as well. And so I dedicate this blog entry, as poor as it is, to the women who were killed in the school, because the lives of their families have been forever altered as well. May each of you sit in glory at the side of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Many families now face the challenges of funerals for a child the full week before Christmas. Each of these families will no longer see their child smiling at them on Christmas Day. No longer will they be able to tuck the child in bed of an evening. These parents now face the horrors of outliving a child.
Seven other families face the trials of planning funerals as well. Most of those adults were young; all of them younger than I am, and all of them still in child bearing years. The means that their parents are probably still alive, and those parents, too, have outlived their children.
The world is focusing on the children, so I am focusing on the adults who lost their lives as well. They deserve as much attention as the children are getting. Husbands have lost a wife. Children have lost a mother. Brothers and sisters have lost a sibling. Parents lost a daughter.
Husbands no longer have a wife with which to lay down to sleep at night, their beds forever empty and cold. Husbands no longer have a helpmate in the home, to love and care for the children, no other adult with which to discuss important family matters. No longer is there an adult in the home to say "Sweet dreams" when the bedroom light is turned out and covers pulled up. No longer is their a woman to cuddle with, to say "I love you" to and have it said back at you. Husbands no longer have a wife to kiss goodbye in the morning, to kiss hello of an evening, to kiss goodnight when retiring to bed. Children no longer have a mother to fix a lunch for them, to organize activities in the home, to care for the entire family. Children no longer have a mother to rub that aching tummy or hurting head, to make special treats, to push back the dark after a bad dream, drive them to soccer or basball practice. Children no longer have a mother to confide things to, to referee family squabbles, take the dog for a walk or let the cat out. There will be empty places at the table on Christmas, and for every holiday and family gathering hereafter. Siblings have lost the companionship of their own childhood, their confidants, and in many cases, the voice of reason in the family.
These seven adults were all trying to help shelter the children in their care. Some rushed headlong at the shooter in an effort to stop him and were gunned down mercilessly. All of them are heroines, for all adults killed were women. The killer did not kill any men, only women. He was not so selective with the children, for both boys and girls were killed. But he was very selective with the adults he killed.
This blog entry is not aimed at taking away the horrors of the murder of the 20 children, but acknowledging that there were other victims in that school, adult victims whose families face the same shock and horrors of the families of the children. I've seen so many little things on Facebook honoring just the children. Well folks, 7 adults died too, most of them died as heroines, protecting the lives of the other children. Those lives need to be celebrated and remembered as well. And so I dedicate this blog entry, as poor as it is, to the women who were killed in the school, because the lives of their families have been forever altered as well. May each of you sit in glory at the side of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
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