A different call to arms

I wrote this after the tragic shooting of school children in Sandy Hook.

A different call to arms

The violence in Newtown’s Sandy Hook school is unimaginable, causing grief around the world with its swift and shocking destruction focused on hurting the very young and those who cared for them. “Why?” and “How?” are on everyone’s lips. The only possible answer I see is the intent to strike pain in the hearts of all to equal that in the one who pulled the trigger, and to shock us out of our complacency.

What possible triumph can we realize through all of the horror, despair and tears? 

Each day thousands of children die in this country and around the world due to a slower, quieter destruction. Poverty, violence, hunger and illness cut short many young lives needlessly and often without comment.

Perhaps the best way to honor those lost in Newtown is to protect, nurture and raise up those beautiful children who are still among us, and mourn those who die unseen every day.

Hold every child as closely as you do your own. Support policy, law and social efforts that will improve the lives of children and the adults they will become. Remove the barriers and stigma associated with seeking care for mental illness.

Fight back with the fierceness of resolve demonstrated by the caregivers who fought to save so many lives that day, and those who lost their own in the effort.

This is a call to arms: used not to bear weapons, but to gather up all the little children in the warmth and support of a community that cares.