What we may have learned…

My heart and tears have continually gone out to those affected by the “Sandy Hook Massacre” this past weekend.  I was one of the first to “tweet” the information on Twitter as my husband is in law enforcement and received a call.  Though, my business is social media and this is usually how I get my news, there wasn’t much news to get at that time.  I remember turning on my television and thinking that another child, in an urban area actually, has brought a gun to school.  The image on the screen was something completely different; a hybrid, zoomed-out view of leafless trees and straw-colored winter grass…for miles.  The top of a building, that I assumed was the school in question, and more trees.  My next thought;  Columbine.  I immediately tweet the smidgit of information that I have, link it to the first SEO enhanced story of my Google search, tell my “Tweeps” on Twitter what has just happened and that the story is still developing.

Now, here we are, three days after one of the most heinous, gut-wrenching, selfishly unnecessary crimes of our nation in the history of ever, still trying to make sense of it all.  That is what we do.  We, as Americans, dissect an event until we’re left discussing trivial points because we must have an answer.  Well, here’s the answer:  Everything happens for a reason.

That answer may not sit well with you but read on and you’ll understand the positive that has come from the negative now known as the “Newtown School Massacre” (among other things).

As–not only a compassionate human being–a mother, I cannot get the visions that I have of those children (as well as the teachers, administrators, janitors, lunch aides, school nurse, secretaries and parents) during this horrific happening and what may have gone through their minds during the shooting.  I can’t even read the GOOD things that are being published on the internet without getting choked up but I’ll continue to say what I’ve always said, “Everything happens for a reason”…every negative has a positive.

For instance, today, all over the country, schools are having safety drills, going over school lock-down plans, putting new policies into place and are back to enforcing the old ones.  More than likely; people have always needed to be buzzed into your local elementary school building but, after time, things become lax, people get “lazy”…parents hold the door for other parents etc.  The school secretary, while buzzing in what looks to be a “normal” and/or “nice” person, may be in the middle of a conversation with someone else at the same time.  Then, once inside, nobody is concerned with whomever just came through the door because things like the Sandy Hook shooting rarely happen.  Everybody is in a hurry to do whatever it is that they need to do, quickly.

I detest that this had to happen but I do wish to thank the kids/students, teachers and principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School for their sacrifice.  Now our kids have a better chance of being safe going forward.

As a mother; I am both saddened, knowing that the sweet kids of Sandy Hook Elementary School had to die for less than nothing, and thankful that my kids are safe…relieved.  THANK YOU for the lessons learned; on many levels.  THANK YOU for the sacrifices and for being the heroes to teach our nation these many lessons in your wake:

• Always kiss your family goodbye because–though it may be cliché, it’s true–you may never see them again.
• Deliberately think about what you want your last words to your family members to be before going your separate ways for the day.
• Hug your loved ones a little longer…the school bus driver, crossing guard, car behind you in the drop-off lane at school, your boss/client and everyone else in the world can and will wait.
• Think about others’ safety while thinking about your own or the safety of your own children.  Don’t feel “funny” if you don’t hold the door for the person behind you to a building where safety is an issue.  Follow the rules; the other person may thank you for it later and if not; they will surely get over it.
• It shouldn’t take horrific events to bring people together and have us do what’s right.  Otherwise, things like this will continue to happen.
• Our “problems” aren’t really problems at all but individual obstacles that create a problem if not dealt with.  We are just a small part of the big picture and there is always someone out there whose “problems” are more hulking (like the parents, family and friends now staring at gifts they were once excited about–meant for the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting–that are now just painful reminders).
• Discuss everything.  You may not be able to tell everyone everything but tell someone something. Everyone in our lives has a role.  Some are great listeners, some are great party-goers and some come into our lives during emergencies only but being overly private is an injustice to you (as well as the quality of life that you deserve to live) and to those left with questions after you’ve gone.
• We are stronger than we think: We’re able to think/act fast and prevail in stressful situations (reports state that the first call to police was just 1 minute after shooting began).
• Slow down.  Mentally, physically and in life.  Slow down…
• New laws need to be made regarding gun control.  I don’t want to see law abiding citizens left unable to protect themselves against radicals like the shooter in the Sandy Hook School Massacre but this shooting could be the wake-up call needed to adjust particular laws within the laws.  *Side Note: Making something illegal doesn’t make it unattainable by those who want it most as we’ve seen with drugs, alcohol during prohibition, materials to create personal weapons of mass destruction etc.   Most criminals don’t purchase their guns in a gun shop so they will continue to have access to them long after the laws have been changed.  I’m just hoping this tragedy is the jagged little pill that sits lawmakers down and helps them develop a solution that will keep the most people safe.  That’s all I’ve got to say about that…this post was written out of sympathy and empathy for the victims, their loved ones and all others affected.

THANK YOU to the heroes of SANDY HOOK SCHOOL:

- Charlotte Bacon,6
- Daniel Barden, 7
- Rachel Davino, 29
- Olivia Engel, 6
- Josephine Gay, 7
- Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 6
- Dylan Hockley, 6
- Dawn Hochsprung, 47
- Madeleine F. Hsu, 6
- Catherine V. Hubbard, 6
- Chase Kowalski, 7
- Jesse Lewis, 6
- James Mattioli , 6
- Grace McDonnell, 7
- Anne-Marie Murphy, 51
- Emilie Parker, 6
- Jack Pinto, 6
- Noah Pozner, 6
- Caroline Previdi, 6
- Jessica Rekos, 6
- Avielle Richman, 6
- Lauren Rousseau, 30
- Mary Sherlach, 56
- Victoria Soto, 27
- Benjamin Wheeler, 6
- Allison N. Wyatt, 6

RIP.

…as well as those who survived (including service team members) who did an amazing job contributing strength on this unforgettable day.

*”In the wake of another horrific national tragedy, it’s easy to talk about guns. But it’s time to talk about mental illness.”  Quote from the most profound story I’ve read thus far regarding the Sandy Hook School Shooting.  It shut me up with my mouth wide open!  You can check it out here!  #Wow*

Joani Plenty

Passionate Author, Actor, Advocate and Social Media Personality

@joaniplenty

@b4bully

b4bully.com