Christmas can be very difficult for many people, but then again life itself can also be difficult.
One thinks of the parents of an elementary school in Connecticut and is instantly grateful that it didn’t happen here.
But it could.
The days of innocence are gone.
We used to be somewhat immune because what happened that far away really didn’t have much impact on us.
But no more.
Through the computer media of today, we’re there every bit as much as neighbours down the streets.
Their hurt becomes our hurt.
Their disbelief is also ours.
Their healing is our challenge as well.
There can be no explanation for the Sandy Hook School shooting.
There is no rationalization of any aspect of this mass murder of 20 innocent kids.
It simply defies any excuse.
And it cannot be prevented.
Human frailties being what they are, there will always be someone, somewhere, who has the mindset that it makes sense to them to kill another person.
And the rest of us simply cannot prevent that.
But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.
It doesn’t mean we don’t make every effort to be kind and considerate of others, and that can start so close to home.
Give somebody a hug this Christmas.
Give your kids the biggest hug of all.
Because we never know.
Forty Connecticut parents would give anything to be able to give their kids one more hug, but they never will.
Because we never know.
Forty parents sent their kids to school one day like always, not knowing they would never return.
Because we never know.
Just show you care.
Tell your kids how very important they are in your life.
Because we never know.
Share with your kids and, most importantly, share your time with your kids.
Share by taking time to listen.
Share by caring what they say, what they feel and what they think.
Because we never know.
Make this Christmas one your family will always remember because you took the time and made the effort to share yourself with others, and that made it different and better.
It may be uncomfortable, but do it because we never know.
This Christmas is so very sad for so many in a rather small American town and all we can do is offer prayers like the rest of the world.
But we can also determine to make lives better to those around us.
Because we never know.
So give your kids a Christmas hug.
Why? Because you can.
