Two fire captains keeping Santa’s chair warm
Like the rest of the country, we’ve been moved by the Sandy Hook tragedy. But the Knight still had duty crew all weekend, and yesterday was photos with Santa at the firehouse. (Sorry… I don’t post photos of kiddos without permission, so enjoy these BIG kids instead.)
My heart breaks for everyone who has been touched by the deaths of those innocents. I don’t mean to appear insensitive, but those of us not actively grieving do need to carry on…
I am hopeful that some good will come from this. Several of you know that I’ve long bemoaned the secret shame associated with mental health/illness, and as one of my former co-workers posted on Facebook, it is up to ALL of to assure children – all children, everywhere – are safe wherever they might be. It takes a village, and these days, we’re a global community.
So hug your own children close for me. Send your children’s teachers and school administrators a thank you note, cookies… something to let them know how much you appreciate their dedication. And I sincerely am moved that a few of you have already expressed your concerns for the first responders (emergency service workers if you prefer). I promise, cards and cookies are welcomed at any fire/rescue/police station, anywhere.
Be extra kind to each other. ‘Tis the season, after all.
Chan Knits 
Wonderfully put my friend. I have emailed my friends/family that are teachers to check in on them. ….it is very rough on them even from miles away….
The tragedy has shaken the country to its very core.
As my pastor reminded us this weekend, you never know the burdens and sorrows of the people in line in front of you in the grocery store, in traffic, etc., so when they take a little more time than you would wish to pay for their groceries or pull away from the light a little too slowly, instead of acting in anger, respond as you said, Chan: be kind. We could all use more compassion and kindness in our lives.
It does feel very awkward and strange. I love that you still had a good time at the fire house with Santa and that you won’t post pictures of people who’s permission you don’t have. 🙂 We had an okay weekend. g
I hear ya… I opted to blog a moment of silence, per say, today……..
You have some big reindeer there – almost as big as my elves!
I ‘ve been busy planning some blankets for Project Linus and some teddies for the group that furnishes them to police to hand out to small victims, but I hadn’t thought about our local fire house. So I’m off to pack up a box of cookies for them and will deliver them this afternoon. hanks for the reminder.
Absolutely load those firemen and medics up with goodies and hugs!! (The fireman you hug may be mine)! We are all touched by the events around us–how could anyone not be! But we forget that the emergency responders are THERE. They see it all and give their all. They deserve all we can do for them!
Yes. Thank you for this.
When my oldest was in high school, her math teacher went out of his way after school to listen to her friend for 45 minutes–while I waited for those two girls to come to the car, making my daughter afraid I would yell for the wait and surprising her by being absolutely cool with it and thrilled to hear that it was because the teacher was giving up his time for them, especially her friend.
I carefully timed it the next day: those homemade cinnamon rolls came out of the oven just in time to go to school to pick them up, having first checked with the kid to make sure that teacher would be there at that time. I parked the car and walked them over to him.
He was stunned. He told me in all his years of teaching, parents had occasionally sent a gift basket or bottle of wine or something, but never had anyone made something for him and never especially had anyone gone to see him in person to say thank you.
Beautifully written, Chan. And a perfect post title. As our lives go on and Christmas approaches, we are trying to lead a life of normalcy. Difficult, though. The prompt actions of the first responders, from what I understand, prevented further deaths. Yes, they all deserve a hug today.
Such a great post, and very well put. While my heart breaks for these people (and I cry every time something comes on the news or the radio,) I pray that their grief will not be too heavy and drawn out. And that this will never EVER happen again.
Love this post…well put! love the picture too!