Look for the Helpers

My thoughts and prayers are with all who have 

been impacted by the tragedy in Boston today.

26 Acts

You may have heard of something called "#26Acts" floating around cyberspace the past few weeks.  It's a movement sweeping the country as a way to pay tribute to those lost in the tragedy in Newtown just a few short weeks ago.

Many people, myself included, do random acts of kindness regularly, with no reason needed.  To me, though, this is different.

Ann Curry started it with a tweet:

And it spiraled into a movement that you can read more about here and on their Facebook page here.

You'll notice that the tweet sent 10 days ago (shocking that it's only been 10 days) was for 20 acts.  That was for the children.  It swelled to include the educators, as well.  In a nutshell, people all over the country (and the world, actually) are doing a random act of kindness for each of the victims.  Ironically, today is the 26th of the month.  The perfect day to start my 26 intentional acts in honor of 26 people whose lives were cut short.

I'm in.  

Are you?

A Day of Silence

Always remember.... 

"I wanted to do SOMETHING for the families and I didn't know what else to do. Ed Sheeran's guitar played at the exact moment I heard about the tragedy. The song came out of me faster than any before. It felt wrong not to share it. I hope this finds its way to the proper ears at the proper time. God Bless you. I'm so grateful to be alive. Maybe this terrible day will make sense in Heaven." --Mike Posner

In Memorium....

Though Sunday is drawing to a close, nothing that I have read or heard has lessened the shock of Friday's tragic news.  I don't know a single parent, teacher, or anyone who works with children that has fully digested the magnitude of the event.  I've spent my weekend torn between thinking of my students, thinking of ways to make my classroom safer, cabinets I could clean out to hide students in any potential situation.... There has been a lot about the Sandy Hook tragedy floating around Facebook, more than I could handle.  Among them, one stood out to me so I'm reposting it here.



Additionally, my friend Tamara posted a beautiful tribute to those lost in the tragic event.  I, like her, am one who lives in a somewhat protective bubble.  Being at school all day Friday prevented me from learning of the news until dinner time.  And that message was delivered via Facebook, as I don't watch the news, and no longer read the newspaper- print or electronic.  I just can't stomach all the horrible things that the news seems to pick up on and sensationalize.  Why can't we spend as much time and energy on sharing good news as we do on bad?

Anyway, I am jumping on board the train that is praying for the victim's and their families.  I hope you will at least say a prayer for those whose life was cut short on Friday morning, teachers and children alike.

Charlotte Bacon, age 6               Daniel Barden, age 7

Olivia Engel, age 6                     Josephine Gay, age 7

Ana Marquez-Greene, age 6              Dylan Hockley, age 6

Madeline Hsu, age 6                Catherine Hubbard, age 6

Chase Kowalski, age 7               Jesse Lewis, age 6

James Mattiolo, age 6                Grace McDonnell, age 7

Emilie Parker, age 6                   Jack Pinto, age 6

Noah Pozner, age 6                    Caroline Previdi, age 6

Jessica Rekos, age 6                   Avielle Richman, age 6

Benjamin Wheeler, age 6           Allison Wyatt, age 6

Rachel Davino, age 29               Dawn Hochsprung, age 47

Lauren Russeau, age 29            Anne Marie Murphy, age 52

Mary Sherlach, age 56               Victoria Soto, age 27*

*She hid students in cabinets and closets, telling the gunman they were in the gym.  While her life was not spared, all of her student's lives were.

A Shocking Tragedy

Photo Credit: Enchanted Photography

I have no words.  Only shock.  Only grief.  They were just babies.  It could have happened anywhere.  Any school.  Any teacher.  Any child.  I am numb with shock.  

May the violence end here, and peace forever reign.