Photo:Hand In Hand/mcdarius/CC BY-NC 2.0

I try to write something every week or so, something relevant, something honest, something that I’m thinking about or learning about that will serve you in your day to day, that will motivate you to be a little more honest with yourself, inspire you to take an action you’ve been putting off, or see yourself in a kinder light. Usually, I’m thinking of being more productive, more focused, more on point. But this week I can only sigh and be grateful. Holding my children close, holding my family, connecting with those I love.

In order to process through the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the sweet souls that lost their lives and their innocence there, I feel the need to take responsibility. To look at my own life and say how can I be a better mother, friend, member of the community? How can I handle my own negative emotions more openly and honestly? How can I show up for others more fully?

I can’t make sense of it, I know that, and I can’t wrap my head around that gun control or better mental health care is enough or the answer. So I took my little girl to the park, even though I was feeling sad, and we played and then we walked together on a tree-lined path where she discovered fallen leaves, mud, and sand. Then I thanked God that I had the opportunity to do this with her. And I let her little hand ease the aching in my heart for the loss that so many others are going through. We are all connected, at moments like this I am sure of it, we have the power to change our society, to hold each person as special and important, and to help each other bear the burden of our pain.