Mommy in the mirror : by amy

My Facebook news feed was overflowing with "RIP Newtown" updates, photos of the victims, and anti-gun propaganda.  In the midst of it all, this article caught my eye: I am Adam Lanza's Mother.  If you haven't read it yet, please stop to do so now.

The tragedy in Newtown has taken an emotional toll on me.  I watch Logan in awe as he plays with his boxes and dances joyfully to Vince Guaraldi's Linus and Lucy.  But I can't help but feel scared.  I know the world is a far scarier place today than it was when I was growing up.  Sexting.  Creepers on social media.  Sandusky.  Massacres.  I remember praying fervently everyday during Logan's first few months, asking God to help me raise Logan well and to do the "right" thing.  Now, I pray fervently for God's healing on the world so that the community can raise future generations well.

As President Obama reminded us, we have a communal responsibility to raise our children.  It reminded me of when Logan was baptized.  Our pastor asked the congregation to stand and make a commitment to help raise Logan in the church.  Being a parent has already stretched my heart for children beyond my own-- and I always thought I'd be one of those parents who only really cared for her own kid!  After the tragic events in Newtown, it's convicted me even more to take on a greater responsibility to pray and serve our children.

In the wise words of Michael Jackson, make a change.

why? : by jean

i missed my post on Thursday due to my bag being stolen right in front of miles' daycare center. it was my fault for leaving my bag on the stroller while i ran in to get miles. it was my normal routine which i will never repeat again. i thought my neighborhood was "safe," but i guess one can never be safe enough. and yes, it's my fault for leaving it out, but i never thought it would get stolen within 10 mins. what bothers me more is that it seems like it was some kids in the neighborhood who took my bag since they tried to spend $150 at dominos pizza. Ugh.

and then the shooting in CT happened on Friday. i was feeding miles this morning and watched the continuous coverage on the shooting. i know my stolen bag is obviously nothing compared to what happened in CT, but why is there so much evil around us? are we ever safe? how can we ever send our kids to daycare, school, camp, without ever worrying?

it gives me chills just reading and watching the clips on the incident. i can't imagine what these families must be going through. how do you ever recover from something like that? how do you explain to your kids what happened, and the biggest question of all, why?

and why are these kids being interviewed about what happened? clearly something awful happened. they are young and innocent and should not be asked to relive that moment in tv.

my co-worker and i were overwhelmed with emotion as we watched President Obama give his speech on Friday. i definitely hugged Miles a little tighter last night when i put him to bed.

our hearts go out to all the families in Newtown.