In Connecticut...

This weekend I spent a lot of time reflecting: feeling sad, angry, even guilty.  I wrote this yesterday morning but just haven't wanted to be online until now.  

I want so badly to help. To help the families of those who lost children or parents. Giving money just doesn't seem to be enough. This isn't like a fire or storm, these people didn't lose physical items that can be replaced. They lost friends, classmates, teachers. Would putting more presents under these children's trees at Christmas, like with a toy drive, take away their pain? I doubt it.

I'm not a therapist, I can't help the children who did survive cope or answer questions about what happened.

All I can do is give here and hold my family and friends a little closer. I don't feel like blogging or instagramming or even being on Facebook where more people are worried about the 2nd amendment than mourning this loss. There will be a time for all of the above, but it's not now. Now is a time to reflect on how lucky we are for what we do have and a time to pray for those who do not.

Since yesterday, I have found a couple of ways in which I hope to help in addition to helping through the United Way [link above]:

1. There is a teddy bear drive being held in Hartford for the children in Newtown.  Hopefully these bears will give each child something to hold and love.  If you are not in the Hartford area, here is the address where you can mail bears:
Clear Channel Media + Entertainment
10 Columbus Boulevard
Hartford, CT 06106

2. HOPEFULLY this will not be needed with the help of this petition, but some of you have probably heard about the Westboro cult before.  It is believed that they will be picketing the funerals of these innocent victims.  [It actually disgusts me even more that this article is put in the religion section of the Huffington Post.]  There are reports that they might be at the vigil I am watching from home right now.

Unfortunately, I was not able to go to Newtown tonight because I spent the day with my family, welcoming in a very beautiful baby boy.  Through all of the sadness over the last few days, I thought seeing this perfect boy would be the best way for me to spend my day.   But let me tell you, if these evil cult members are picketing funerals of 6 and 7 year olds as well as teachers, I will be there to form a chain to protect the victims' families like the students at Texas A&M did.  

3. I will participate in this blogger day of silence on Tuesday.

4. Of course, I will be praying.  I will be praying for each of those little angels in heaven, their families, and the survivors who will continue to live with this tragedy.

All of still seems like so little, so if you have any other suggestions or know of ways to help, please let me know.

Lastly, I leave you with a picture of his new, beautiful boy.  He made me smile so much today.

Aiden Francis