Connecticut Tragedy

This post is my reaction to the horrors of Friday's shooting in a Newtown, Connecticut elementary school.  During the school day at Blair, I heard bits and pieces of what happened, but I could not believe it. What could be worse than Columbine? How could someone do this? Over the weekend, I learned that my family had personal connections with the tragedy. My uncle, who is a TV news reporter in Rhode Island went to Connecticut to cover the story and saw firsthand the aftermath of the massacre. I was born in Connecticut and my parents lived there for many years, and they know a lot of people who live in Waterbury, which is a short distance from Newtown. My mom's friend and former colleague lost his daughter in the shooting. She was among the 6 teachers shot and killed by Adam Lanza. She was substituting for a teacher out sick.

I still can't even process these unthinkable acts. This incident is unfortunately one of many showing the major gun control problem and huge mental health issues this country has. Assault rifles have no place in a civilian setting, and it should not take the death of 20 six and seven year olds to show that. Mental illness is a growing problem that cannot be neglected.

President Obama's remarks on the shooting, especially when he chokes up and says he will hold his daughters tighter. This holiday, I am going to keep these families in my thoughts and remind myself how important family is, and how quickly it can be taken away.