December 19, 2012

An Outlet

left image via my Instagram, right image via SF MOMA personal photo

I debated for a bit whether or not to post this post. Not because I didn't want you to read it but, I only wanted to add a meaningful contribution to what has already been said. Whether or not you consider my thoughts below meaningful is of course up for debate (as it is with everything).

The event that occurred in Newtown, CT on December 16, 2012 has really hit a sensitive nerve with me. Aside from the obvious tragedy of the poor families who lost their loved ones, the unimaginable thought of one man terrorizing so many defenseless and innocent victims and the debate over gun control, I couldn't help but think about the state of the world. If/when my husband and I are fortunate to bring another life into the world, what kind of world will he/she be raised in? I generally think good of the world but, news like this frightens me.

I believe one of the scariest but most exciting achievements in life is to become responsible for another human being. As parents, everyone hopes their child is healthy, successful, smart and responsible. No one dreams their child will fall victim to a crime or worse yet...be the cause/reason for a crime. We imagine children to grow up and live full lives. Yet, here we are...hearing stories on the news of tragic ends to young lives. 

There is no perfect scenario in which to bring children into the world. Things happen and people change. We hear things from afar and think "I cannot believe that happened" but we are also grateful that it didn't happen too close to home. We only hope it doesn't happen again. 

I admit that it almost seemed strange to me to post an OOTD online Monday morning without making mention of what happened in Newtown. I even felt a bit guilty writing about how fun my weekend was when I kept seeing more news about what had happened. But, I also didn't want to seem disingenuous in my remarks. I don't know if my posting something now is much different but, I just felt the urge to publish my thoughts. 

Everyone has his/her way of handling news. If you feel so inclined, there are ways in which to help the families in Newtown, CT and people who are struggling with mental and emotional issues (see here). For me, having an outlet for discussion is more helpful than bottling things internally. 

My heart pours for all those families who are now forever linked to this tragedy. I truly hope they find the strength and courage to live their lives.

Thank you for reading along. Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts, provide links to what you have written or perhaps feel like you can now talk to someone else about your own opinions on this and everything else happening in the world.

12 comments:

  1. It's definitely a scary world out there...I also didn't post about the massacre in Newtown, but only because I feel like I'm really bad at articulating my thoughts when things like this happen. (I also didn't have a TV all weekend so I didn't really see any of the news about it.) My heart & prayers are with all the families, and I can only hope that something will change to prevent something this horrific from happening again.

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  2. I debate sometimes on over to post about news topics and what not in my posts. Overall, I don't want to bring anything sad/political/newsy into the blog and leave it be the happy little corner it is. Doesn't mean I don't respect it of course, but I don't think my two cents is going to change anything or help anyone at all. It's a terrible thing to think about all of the things that happen like this - a lot of them go unpublicized too. There has been some crazy violence over the years in my home town (I'd type them, but they are pretty awful). I don't watch the news really, I'm aware of things from quick looks at news sites, but I can't imagine glorfying and giving the attention to something so terrible - I feel like by putting it up there it's making these terrible acts famous - which always seems like a part of what some of these people want - to make it show. It's not. It's an awful tragedy. And indeed - it's scary to have kids in this world! Just recently a man took a girl at gun point made her drive to the woods, and tride to assault then kill her. She got away, thank god, but this all happened on a local college campus where my friends daycard for her little girl is. The police shut down the university to look for him and the daycare STAYED OPEN and didn't notify the parents! It wasn't right at all.

    This is getting long sorry! I totally get this post though and wanted to respond because I feel so similarly about it all
    <3 katherine
    of corgis and cocktails

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  3. Great pics!! :)
    As a mother, it's difficult to talk about it!!

    Would you like to follow each other? :)

    http://www.facebook.com/estilohedonico
    http://estilohedonico.blogspot.pt/

    xoxo

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  4. I think it is great that you posted this. I was actually having a hard time reading a lot of blogs that were posting about their wishlists and what they had for dinner, etc, and going on like nothing had happened. I know that this was on everyone's mind, but I found it odd when no one mentioned it. I think that blogs are supposed to be an outlet for discussion (that's why we blog and allow comments, isn't it?), and to ignore something so huge just seemed... I don't know, strange to me. It's a really hard thing to talk about, to write about, to even think about, but we have this forum and I think using it can lead to positive change. At least I hope so. I so agreed with what your comment on my blog... what is happening with our generation? I don't know. And it makes me sad.

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  5. I'm glad you wrote this. I wasn't sure how to address this issue either, but everything you wrote rings true for me. When I first heard the news, all I could think about was when I might have kids of my own some day and what kind of world they would be growing up in. I cannot fathom how protective I would be. Honestly, my first thought was: "I'm homeschooling them."
    My heart breaks for these families who lost such precious, young lives and for the heroic teachers who gave their lives to try and save them.

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  6. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this tragic event. I too felt guilty for posting an ootd on that day, but I did briefly mention this devastation. I am glad that you devoted a full post to it though. I sometimes feel like people are becoming too desensitized to these adverse actions and it puzzles me. This is not the world we should live in and accept that events like these are just part of the scheme of the world. It's really sad and heartbreaking =(
    I hope all is well Nancy. -xo.melody

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  7. thank you for this heartfelt post...so much of it resonates with how i feel as well. i am encouraged by your courage to voice these thoughts :)

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  8. Love this post - everyone does deal with things in different capacities/ways, and I don't think any one is better than another. Some people like to be silent, some like to talk it out - and whatever works best for each of us is the best day to deal with such heartache and tragedy.

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us!

    xx,
    Maya

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  9. I love that chain to the left. It's such a statement piece. Thanks for posting the hotos and feel free to drop by me too when you have time.

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  10. I'm glad that you decided to post this. I think that sometimes its healing for us to post things we are feeling. I'm grateful that you decided to share your thoughts- I think it's important that everyone do what they need to do in situations like this.

    Allison

    A's Fashion Files
    Shop Kawaii Kitsch by A on Etsy!

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  11. So well said, Nancy and I'm glad you shared your thoughts. I'm not the best at articulating my thoughts in writing, so decided not to post about it. However, I've definitely talked to family and my boyfriend, cried, watched the news, and cried some more. Such a tragedy.

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  12. I'm happy you shared your thoughts. You are so right, every one has their own way of coping. I'm still processing. Honestly, I'm still crying. I'm still trying to do something to set it right, even though I know that isn't possible. Take care.

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