Article by Wendy mcCance
I have been unable to write for days. The shock of the Connecticut shooting devastated me. For days I cried whenever I heard news with more details of what had happened. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the tragedy.
After a while, it just became too much. Every time I turned on the tv or used my computer, the news of what had happened was again in front of me. I had to wonder what my kids were feeling if I was becoming so overwhelmed myself.
I spent quite a bit of time over the weekend hugging my kids. I was so grateful to be surrounded by their happy presence. We spoke a bit about what had happened and went over the security measures that had been put in place in Connecticut as well as at their schools here in Michigan. They needed to know that it wasn’t easy for someone to enter that school. That there were protective measures and that police were there incredibly quickly.
I was under the weather over the weekend. Even so, I invited the kids to hang out in the bedroom and watch some tv with me. I just wanted them close. The kids sat on the bed and did homework, talked about what’s going on in their lives and snuggled up. It was a perfect way to spend some time together. Even though I wasn’t feeling well, it was the love and care shared back and forth that made the weekend perfect.
I try very hard not to take things for granted. I have seen so many examples of tragedy ripping apart a family. No one ever sees it coming. How could it be predicted? My heart aches for the families in Connecticut. I wish more than anything that they could wake up and find that it was just a horrible nightmare, and that all was truly fine.
Hug your children. Take nothing for granted. Live each day knowing that you made the most of the time you had to spend with your loved ones. It’s all we can do, because there are no guarantees in life. You can only celebrate what is currently in front of you and make the most of that particular moment.
Wendy McCance
To contact Wendy McCance about a writing or social media assignment, interview or speaking engagement, please email her at: [email protected]
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Wendy, such a great blog. I can always count on you to make me feel I have learned something new and/or changed after reading. Thank you!
Thanks so much. You made my day. 🙂
It so easy to do, but it’s circumstances like this that bring up back to what’s really important. Thank you for this thoughtful post. I am visiting family this week so I am blessed to have a chance to spend some very precious time with them all. 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful visit. All the best. 🙂
I agree absolutely! My family has a rule that when we part… even just going home, to always hug, kiss and tell the other person how much we love them. I was glad I had always done that when my dad died so suddenly, there was no doubt in my mind that he knew… good blog as always! 😀
Your family’s rule is perfect. Glad you liked the post. 🙂
Wendy,
I hope you’re feeling better.
I agree. I wish I could hug my kids! I will see them soon and they won’t know what hit them! 😀
I feel much better, thanks. I have a feeling your kids will be hugging you just as much. 🙂
I am one for telling my children how much I love them and how proud of them I am and we are part of a huggy, kissy family………….the resent events in Connecticut really brings home how fragile life can be and how terrible things can happen at any time
So sad, hearts around earth are broken.. we think about all that people, it’s a big big tragedy.. xo from Croatia..
It is so appreciated to hear such a heartfelt comment from someone so far away. Thank you so much.
Unfortunately, sometimes really sad things bring hearts together.. Hold on… Thinking about you…
Aboolutely, never take what you have for granted.