Prayers for Newtown and some thoughts....

This is not my story to tell or receive attention from, but I was feeling compelled to write this evening when I got home from dinner. Here goes....

I'm not exactly what you'd call a religious person, but over the past year and a half, I began praying. I do it on my way to work in my car usually, or sometimes before I go to bed. Mainly it's prayers of gratitude for all the blessings in my life, but today I was sending a few prayers up for all the families in Newtown. Here I was, just like any other day, headed to work (counting the days until Christmas break) but heading to a job I love, to see kids I call family, and friends who I have the pleasure of spending my days with. And just to the east, are families whose lives will never be the same. Babies being put to sleep who will never experience all the amazing things this life has to offer. I know it's only a prayer, or a donation to United Way, or a card, and can no way replace the lives that were taken, but it's the least I can do.

Of course I've been following the news and reading articles online over the past few days as well.

This morning I watched this as I curled my hair...please take a moment to watch if you haven't yet.

Nothing can ever be the same again.

It was USA Today or the Trib that headlined this morning with, "Is this the tipping point?" referring to our gun control laws. I sure hope so. My dad is a cop and has always had guns in the house. Up in Chicago, they were under tight lock and key, which made me happy. They scare the you-know-what out of me. I feel like I'd be the one to shoot my foot or hurt someone else if I bumped into it.  I have no idea what our obsession with guns are. Maybe it's because I'm a girl....I'm not sure. But why would any civilian need an automatic weapon? Why do we have access to them so easily?

I saw this online today. Is this serious....the cheese and the guns?

My cousin mentioned that some people asked if maybe teachers should be armed. I would sooner quit my career before I would let that happen. Could you imagine, teachers, all armed? How would that create a safe and trusting learning enviornment? How would my kids - or myself! feel safe to be in our classroom, that is made to feel like home? I didn't want to be a police officer because crime scares me. I would never think to be armed to protect myself and my students in my classroom.

But would I go to great lengths to protect my kids? Of course. I've had my homeroom for a year and a half now - same kids. They are like a little family to me, and it's built that way. They will tell me, like one of my girls did today, that they need a hug. They will tell me about drama that is going on with other people around school. They tell me who has a new boyfriend or who got new boots. School works because they feel safe and they know they are cared for. Guns don't belong in schools.

I don't think gun control is the only issue here. Obviously there are many factors, including a health care situation that I don't really know much about. What I do know is our society is/has been  changing. People, young people especially, are tuned out of face-to-face interaction and would rather talk via device. Take one of my 8th grade cheerleaders who just got a new boyfriend last week. I asked her, "So he asked you out and you said yes? Did he call you last night?" She replied, "Oh no, Ms. Brezek. I'm so awkward on the phone. We texted."

Our kids don't know how to communicate. I'm out to dinner and see it all the time - families waiting for their meal and their kids playing on the devices. They should be doing what we did - talking about our day, hearing our parents talk about work, and joking around with their siblings while they wait. But we don't do that anymore. Families don't sit down to dinner. Parents are working later hours. Needless to say, children aren't developing their emotional intelligence like they used to. The family dynamic is different these days.




I also watched this today. He presents some pretty good points...

Anyways, not sure it's my place to say anything, but a huge part of the reason I love my job is that I get to be there for my kids, especially in 7th and 8th grade when so much is changing for them.

Now I turn this over to you - did you talk to your children today? Ask about their day? Did you give them a hug and a kiss before bed? Did you call your best friend or siblings or tell your spouse how important they are to you? Will you say a prayer for those in Newtown or others in your life who may need it? 

As we have unfortunately witnessed yet again, life is fragile, and we never know when it can be turned upside down. Keep the ones you love close.

Until next time...