So I haven’t done much in the last twenty-four hours. I was exhausted after a fun trip to Miami to hang out with my future brother & sister-in-law and their super cute 15.5 month old daughter who will serve as the flower girl in my upcoming wedding. It was a great time, but I didn’t sleep much.
So I napped yesterday, waking up late to read the horrific news out of Connecticut. I posted my quick status yesterday on my facebook page.
And then I read article and after article.
I watched news story after newstory.
I did nothing. I merely existed.
If you’ve seen me speak before, you’ve probably heard me use this refrain. I fell back into bad habits and I felt helpless.
Like almost everyone, the ages of the victims hit too close to the heart. I open up many of my speeches talking about how great it is to be five years old. I talk about all of the great things about being five, the imagination, the wonder. At this time of year, I also think how great it is to celebrate the magic of Christmas or the excitement a child has over taking part in Hanukkah as an “older” participate aware of the traditions and the gifts.
I think about that age. I think about the amazing teachers and administrators and parents who died trying to protect that innocence.
And then once again, I merely started existing again.
Then my fiancee came up with a great idea: Kid Night.
We ditched our healthy wedding diets and picked up a pizza, got stuff to make hot chocolate WITH marshmallows and candy canes, cookies and sweets, and I downloaded a copy of Arthur Christmas on iTunes and we played last night. Today we’re joining friends to watch a Christmas Parade.
I’m not a pyschologist or a grief counselor, but here is my advice for today. Here is the way to honor them:
Spend this weekend LIVING like a five year old.
They would get bored with the news stories. They would get bored with the articles.
They would want to play. They would want to wonder.
So turn off facebook & twitter. Turn off the news. Turn off your CNN & USA today internet articles.
AND THEN PLAY…
Put on a fun children’s movie. Play a video game. Look at Christmas lights. Drink hot chocolate.
Yesterday we all grieved, today let’s honor the fallen by living and celebrating LIFE. The news will be there when we return, but for now, turn it off, and find the way to smile.
My experience on 9/11 was made a little bit better by getting an ice cream.
My experience yesterday was made a little bit better by watching a Christmas movie with a cup of hot chocolate.
It doesn’t take away all of the heartache, but it is a slow step in the right direction.
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