The Tragedy at Sandy Hook

I woke up to my husband telling me to turn on the news, there had been a shooting.  My immediate thought was "not again" and I wondered where it was this time- feeling already sorry for those poor people so far away.  As I turned on the news, my eyes began adjusting to the light and I immediately looked to the bottom of the screen for a location.  "Sandy Hook Newtown, CT".

No

Still the thought of when I first saw those words sends chills through my body.

Sandy Hook Newtown. Not the town that my parents' house literally borders.  Sandy Hook Newtown.  Not the school that is five minutes away from where I grew up my whole life.   Sandy Hook Newtown.  It can't be that perfect town, the town that you take people in to show them the idyllic "Northeastern" American small town.  Sandy Hook Newtown.  Not the place that I have driven through thousands and thousands of times.

It can't be Sandy Hook Newtown.

I was in shock.

This is five minutes away from where I spent 15 years of my life.  This is five minutes away from where I go visit every few weeks.  This is five minutes away from my family.

I couldn't understand the rest, in fact, I couldn't understand the rest until yesterday, Sunday.  Nothing registered with me, I was in shock.  I wasn't even the one who lost a friend or child or sibling and I COULDN'T register what happened, so I can't imagine the cloud that those families are walking around in.

As I continued to be glued to the TV throughout the day, I was even more saddened to see the initial accused was Ryan Lanza.  Not the boy who graduated high school in the High School next to mine the same year.  Not the boy who graduated Quinnipiac with me.  I was heartbroken.  My heart broke more throughout the day as the number of victims rose and the accused was actually Ryan's 20 year old brother.  How could someone my brother's age commit such a gruesome crime?  How did Ryan feel?

I didn't understand.  I still don't understand.  It is not something to be understood.  When things finally started to sink in yesterday and the initial shock started to fade, I was sad.  So deeply sad.  These were babies.  These were babies I saw in the grocery store.  These were babies that I saw in the park.  These were babies that only had one goal, to love and be loved.

I know what type of town Newtown is.  I grew up having friends from Newtown.  I grew up going to parties in Newtown.  We go to Newtown's grocery store.  My Mom works directly with St. Rose Church.

You hear the words "Columbine" and "Virginia Tech" and they have these forever branded stories about the terrible murders that happened there.  I can't believe that people are going to hear "Sandy Hook" and "Newtown" and think the same.

My prayers go out to the families, the victims, the children, the friends, the neighbors and even Adam and Adam's family.  Let's face it, 20 is my brothers age.  20 is still a young man trying to figure out his path in this world.  Adam's actions are atrocious and he acted as a monster but with all those gone, it is no longer our job to judge and cast hate.  Let's live as the children do and love.

I will leave you with this poem that has been sent around my church:

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
All those children 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 children can.

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

The Differences Between an Italian American and an Italian Part 1

1. In grade school here, they teach us a dog goes "woof woof". In Italy they teach you a dog goes "Bow Bow".

http://www.bullwrinkle.com/ShoppingPages/takara_bow_lingual_dog_translator.htm

2. In grade school here, you don't discuss the sound that a chicken makes (cluck cluck)? In Italy it is a common lesson that a chicken makes the sound of "Peeu Peeu".

3. Here, around Christmas time the popular characters are The Grinch, The Nutcracker, Elf, and Scrooge.In Italy, it's Le Befana and Father Christmas.

4. In Italy, Santa does not live in the North Pole.

5. Here we fill stockings on Dec. 25th. In Italy, stockings are filled and the large celebration is the Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas when the three Wise Men gave Baby Jesus their gifts.

We feel so blessed to be together this holiday season. Being that this is our first Christmas married and physically together.  We are trying our best to incorporate all traditions into our celebrations.  We have spent our time going to Winterfests, decorating the tree, baking cookies, hanging lights outside and more. The one thing that I will not settle on though, is the fact that Santa DOES live in the North Pole! I hope you are all finding joy in this Christmas season.