Newtown...

Every morning across America, parents put their children on the school bus, car pool or drop them off at school on their way to work. While we know we have to let go of them, part of us wishes they would stay small in some way so we can shelter them from the "outside world", however this cannot be done. Children should NOT have to worry about anything more than learning, lunch, recess. Yes, I had a teenager (she is now 20), it is also about dating, driving, prom, boyfriends or girlfriends, etc. 

As I watched the coverage of the shooting in Newtown, CT. So many feelings rushed over me, rage, hurt, fear, sadness. I saw the parent's some relieved at knowing that their children were safe and sound, and others whom lost children. While my heart breaks for every parent who lost a child, my heart rejoices in the heroic actions of the teachers whom saved many other children's lives. As I lie in bed, I thank God for my child, and the men and women who have called me "mom" over the years. 

I also prayed for the men and women who rushed in as everyone was "rushing out" the many police officers, firefighters/EMT, dog handlers, SWAT. Responding to anything they see is often tragic, however this is beyond words. I also pray for the men and women who work in the Medical Examiner's office who while working may see an occasional child pass through their midst, having this many small lives lost at one time may shatter their stoic facade. 

Being a mother, my heart breaks for the families who are living every parent's worst nightmare: having to bury their child. Parents should not outlive their children, period. Many of you are questioning God at this time, "Why?" the following article by a father of a child that was killed in Columbine may help us make some sense of this tragedy. I have copy and pasted this from a Facebook friend whom is a "Firearms Instructor" in Colorado: 

A MUST READ... we need the lord above.

Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's sub-committee.

What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert!

These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers." "The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field.

The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. "In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA.

I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent."

"I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room.

Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. "I wrote a poem that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:"

Your words are empty air.

You've stripped away our heritage,

You've outlawed simple prayer.

Now gunshots fill our classrooms,

And precious children die.

You seek for answers everywhere,

And ask the question "Why?"

You regulate restrictive laws,

Through legislative creed.

And yet you fail to understand,

That God is what we need!

"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc. Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact.

God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties.

We do not need more restrictive laws." Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored.

We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God!" "As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, He did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right!

I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA- I give to you a sincere challenge.

Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow this to happen.

"When Guns Are Outlawed....The Outlaws Will Have Guns" this is a bumper sticker. It is becoming truer by the minute. The people whom commit crime with a firearm, think they are above the law. I am not talking about the shopkeeper, the homeowner whom while defending his property shot an thief, or would be thief. I am talking about the men and women who have obtained firearms illegally, and use them for illegal purposes. Responsible firearm owners are NOT the problem.  

Charity Begins at Home...???!!!

DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, DOES IT:  The homeless go without eating. Elderly go without needed medicines. The mentally ill go without treatment. Troops go without proper equipment. Veterans go without benefits that we promised. Yet we donate billions to other countries, and excessive immigration before helping our own first????? 

This question was posted as a "share" on my Facebook page this morning, and  it really hit home, since Thanksgiving was a few days ago.... Isn't there an old saying that states, "Charity begins at home"? Or have I aged so much that at 50 I have lost some of my memory...I know, I know age is just a number, it is how one feels about said number that makes all the difference.  

Then can someone please tell me why we have veterans who are without shelter (yes, I do understand that for some it is their choice because of PTSD and other problems that they returned from the war with) while we have illegal immigrants living in government housing? Does it make sense to you that a man or woman whom wore a uniform is living in a box, abandoned building, or homeless shelter while there are government housing projects in every city being built for illegal immigrants? I think we need to house our veterans in these abodes while the immigrants live on the streets. 

While many senior citizens go without medicine or food month after month, I worked as a grocery store cashier for a few years and watched many senior citizens, go through my checkout with barely enough to keep a person alive for a week, let alone a month. Our seniors deserve our respect, and do NOT deserve to hear a politician say, "We need to cut out social programs like Social Security and  Medicare..." they have enough on their plates without politicians threatening them at every turn. 

Many of the "homeless" which are on our streets suffer from mental illness. Paranoia, Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar, Depression and PTSD are real illnesses. The men and women who suffer from these illnesses whom live on the streets have fallen through the system, mainly because of something called "red tape" and the fact that most insurance policies including medicaid and medicare cover only the basic eight to ten weeks of treatment. Without follow up and continuing care, many fall through the cracks. Also they way many of us feel about Mental Health has made it a taboo subject, but yet we advertise for bladder control, erectile dysfunction, migraines, periods, with a few tasteful advertisements regarding depression, and bi-polar disease. By the way, I talk to myself sometimes, especially when I am trying to remember something, I also sing along to the music in the grocery store...I am NOT crazy!!!

Cut a soldiers pay??? Cut a soldiers retirement benefits??? NEVER!!!  When you hear the words "Defense Budget" they are NOT talking guns, tanks, ships, or jets; they are talking about the pay rate of the soldier who defends our flag, our rights, and our FREEDOM.  Did you know that many of the families of the men and women who defend us live under the poverty level, that many receive WIC and food stamps? Did you know that many of the base hospitals no longer treat the families of our soldiers, but ship them to clinics in town such as "NavCare" because the powers that be have cut the "Defense Budget" so much it can barely serve our soldiers. Many of our veterans have to beg for benefits through the VA, and even then they have to pay out of pocket. NO man or woman who has worn the uniform of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine or Coats Guard should ever have to pay for anything once they no longer wear that uniform. 

This country sure has got its priorities messed up. If you agree with anything I have said in this blog, pass it along. 

p.s.:  To those of you who REFUSE to get a job because flipping burgers at McD's, White Castle, BK, or working as a "dishwasher", "car prep", "grocery store clerk/cashier",  is beneath you, it isn't  If you can afford to drive Mercedes, Cadillac, Audi, Volvo and dress in all the "newest" fashions, while adorning your hands, necks, and ears with enough gold & diamonds you DO NOT need public assistance. You need a kick in the butt and to find a job, any job.