Today, no menu. I don’t know, it just doesn’t feel right. I know all of us were affected deeply by what happened in Connecticut on Friday. It was all I could do not to burst into tears at any given moment on Friday, especially as I sat in my car at school pick-up watching my daughter’s classmates stream out of the school in anticipation of the weekend, blissfully unaware of the dangers in the world.
I talked with Cate just a bit about what happened. No details, just broad strokes. I wanted her to know a little of what happened, in case she heard talk of the event at school or in other places, which I am sure she will. I wanted her to feel safe. I wanted her to know that, despite the bad in the world, there is good.
A quote going around Facebook this weekend really struck me. It’s from Fred Rogers, one of my all-time favorite people. “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” I shared this quote with Cate. She got it. And we both agreed, the world is full of helpers.
My weekly menu post is normally up Sunday morning. It was on my to-do list this morning, as it is every week. Only today was also one of our daughter’s birthday. So there were other items on the list that aren’t normally there. Blowing up balloons. Wrapping presents. Decorating birthday cake. Surviving {barely} dinner at Chuck E Cheese. The blog post kept moving down the list. Because those other items, those were more important. Those were the moments that needed to be savored and the blog post could wait.
Instead of menus this week, let’s focus our comments on honoring the families of Newtown, Connecticut. One of my online friends Victoria, aka VDog, lost her nephew Noah on Friday. Her tweet was one of the first I read on Friday and it broke my heart. Please comment and share words of comfort, love and support for sweet little Noah’s family and all the families affected by this tragedy. (You can click here for more info on how to support Victoria.)
Much love to all…
Hi! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and count on you to share yours! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
My heart is heavy with sadness for Victoria and the countless others who are struggling with loss of precious loved ones. I know no words that can erase the scars on your heart or on the heart of our nation, but I can say that the brights smiles of the children you love, who lit up your life, now light the gates of heaven. I will honor them by hugging my children little bit tighter everyday, and never missing a moment to tell them how much I love them. We wear green today (Sandy Hooks colors) in honor of your loved ones. May the compassion of others help you through this difficult time.
I am heartsick over this senseless slaughter. Hugs to you and yours.
i wish words could comfort because if they could, i would talk ’till i was blue in the face… i will tell you that i am sorry for all the losses. my heart aches for the parents and family members. my soul feels heavy… all i can do is pray, and i will. i do. i pray that you (everyone) can come to know the Lord and find comfort in Jesus Christ. He will comfort you and save you from all sorrows of this world.
We are an hour away from Newtown and my husband and I are both teachers. I did not hear the details until I left school and cried all the way home. Today, Monday, was difficult. I drove in the driveway and cried as reality hit me. I was so thankful that my beloved teacher friends were safe as were all my little elementary friends. I will be shedding tears for my Sandy Hook colleagues and those sweet babies for years to come. Hugs and peace to all!
Cross country hugs to alll of you in Newtown and the surrounding areas and to anyone suffering from this tragic event.
I’m so grateful for the teachers and the first responders. Being a teacher myself, my stomach was doing flip flops all day. I was not at school on Friday, I”m so glad I wasn’t because I cried all day. This was a horrible situation but I am finding comfort in the stories of the heros. Many prayers will be uttered from my heart for everyone who is effected by this.
As a mom of 5…my heart aches with pain to think of such a senseless act of violence on such innocent unsuspecting babies. I have a 12,8,6,2 and 1 yo… I can’t imagine the pain the survivors,family and friends are enduring right now. Weaping, as a Nation weaps and grieves with them. We must know that we are living in the last days, where the Bible speaks of man having “no natural affection, critical times hard to deal with, fierce, without self control and without goodness” (found in 2Tim 3:1-5). It is a comfort only to know that these sweet children will no longer have to endure this wicked system of things and will wake up in a wonderful paradise. It will always hurt worse for those that are left behind, as our human nature selfish as it may be wants them here safe with us. So, for only a short time longer will we be without all we have loved and lost in death. I can only hope that the Nations prayers,thoughts and love for these children and adults can provide a sense of peace and comfort. May Jehovah God wrap his arms around the survivors and all those affected and provide this same comfort.
My heart breaks for you and all of Newtown. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you find comfort during this awful time. May we all hug our loved ones a little tighter. I read the paper this morning, Noah’s mom seems like an amazing person, what a beautiful eulogy. God bless you all.
As a teacher my heart broke, as a Christian I asked God to comfort families as a mother I cried. I went back to school on Monday and made sure my students felt safe. It was all I could do