Case of the Mondays?

Monday morning. The alarm goes off signaling the end of the weekend and the beginning of the work week, I groan as I roll over to shut off the blaringly loud alarm and as I enter full consciousness it hits me- 20 beautiful, innocent children would never have a moment like this- a simple moment that I, and the rest of the world, take for granted (and if we are quite honest; dread) The moment of opening your eyes on a Monday morning and getting up to start your work week.

These children were at the most wonderful point in life. They still had their innocence. They weren't jaded by angry clients, demanding bosses, stressful deadlines. They woke up each day buzzing with excitement- ready to share their favorite toy at show and tell, learn their ABC’s, or pick the story the teacher read in story time. Their biggest worry was whether they would be the one chosen to flip the numbers that Ms. Soto Said were counting down the days until winter break - or most importantly when Santa would be coming!

We have seen this violence before: Columbine, Virginia Tech, Colorado, the list continues to grow. What makes this different, what makes this so incredibly tragic, is the age of the victims. These 6 and 7 year old kids weren't old enough to understand, to defend themselves, to know to run or take cover. Children are vulnerable; it is our job as adults to protect them. The idea that something like this could happen, DID happen- is a painful, jagged pill to swallow. We failed. We didn't protect the most precious members of our society.

Why, why, why?? This is the question everyone wants an answer to; unfortunately, sometimes there is no answer. I encourage you to instead ask the question, “now what?” For me, my “now what” is simple, and easier said than done. I am going to relish the beauty in everyday. I am going to stop complaining and make the most of every moment. I’m going to exhibit more patience, curb my anger a bit longer. I’m going to make a goal to encourage at least one person per day and smile more. We as a society need to get back to basics. We get caught up in the everyday and forget what it is to take simple pleasure in the things that really matter.

20 children and 6 adults went to school on Friday and will never come home. There is no answer that will ever satisfy the question of why, or ease the enormous grief that will no doubt be with their family and friends until the day they take their last breath.  What we ARE able to control is our “now what?”Ask yourself this question, consider your answers, and start changing your reality to honor these kids who will never have the opportunity to discover what their own "now what?" would have entailed. If every person put into practice at least 1 of the answers that came to mind - we would no doubt be in a happier, more peaceful place.