I know there are many candlelight vigils happening throughout the United States for the community in Connecticut. I would like to start a candlelight vigil here on 365 to give tribute to the families and community there and to let them know they are in our thoughts and prayers. I would like each of us who would like to participate to take a photo of a candle and post it to this discussion thread. This will be our community of 365ers giving our thoughts and support to the victims and families effected by this horrific massacre.
Here's my tribute, it's not a candle. But it's what I did for my community last night.
Hug Your Child Tonight
After watching the disturbing coverage of the events in Newtown, Connecticut, I decided to do something for my community instead of watching the repetitive recounts by the newscasters.
I handed out 100 cookies to Caltrain commuters heading home.
There were quite a few who declined. Some had diabetes, some had come from a holiday party filled with sweets, some had lots of cookies with them, some probably questioned the safety factor. Some avoided eye contact, some talked on their phone, some did a double take trying to figure our what I was doing. I smiled and said Merry Christmas to them.
But 100 people stopped, got off their bike, or grabbed a cookie and dashed off to the awaiting train, and took a cookie home.
Four people came up to me and asked if they could take my picture. One other stopped and talked with me about the events. Several more praised what I was doing and told me Thank You, that it was very kind of me to do this, or they loved the idea. There was one person who asked if I took donations, several more questioned it being free.
Another came up and said she had two children at home, then apologized for being so "demanding" and rude for asking for two cookies. It started to rain, but I still had cookies to give away. Several times, when a group of people saw someone ahead of them take a cookie, they took one too. Was it peer pressure, or a confirmation that maybe it wasn't bad? I didn't judge, and would probably have felt just as awkward being offered a cookie.
This is my community. And I'm making it better. What are you doing?
@jeancarl That's so sweet, JeanCarl... good for you. I hope you made some folk smile and spread a little happiness.
Funny how folk react to a bit of random kindness... I am reminded that there's no such thing as a free lunch.... perhaps they thought there was no such thing as a free cookie! Well done on seeing it through :)
I took this one on the 12th for a friend who was unfortunate to have suffered a loss - my heart goes to those who have also felt this loss and their families.
My thought and prayers are with everyone who has been touched by this terrible and very sad event. I can not begin to understand how they must be feeling or how they are ever going to get through.
I'm very moved by all these pictures. I haven't read much about the incident as I feel just knowing and feeling for those affected is just as important. I think tomorrow I'll do my tribute.
Sandy Hook is my home town. I lived there for the first 21 years of my life and attended Sandy Hook Elementary School the first year it opened. Even though I don't live there now, I still have close ties to the people there and this tragedy is very personal to me. When I visited there last June I posted a blog entry that might give you a little more incite on what the community was like before this tragedy.
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my thoughts got out to all affected by this terrible event
Hug Your Child Tonight
After watching the disturbing coverage of the events in Newtown, Connecticut, I decided to do something for my community instead of watching the repetitive recounts by the newscasters.
I handed out 100 cookies to Caltrain commuters heading home.
There were quite a few who declined. Some had diabetes, some had come from a holiday party filled with sweets, some had lots of cookies with them, some probably questioned the safety factor. Some avoided eye contact, some talked on their phone, some did a double take trying to figure our what I was doing. I smiled and said Merry Christmas to them.
But 100 people stopped, got off their bike, or grabbed a cookie and dashed off to the awaiting train, and took a cookie home.
Four people came up to me and asked if they could take my picture. One other stopped and talked with me about the events. Several more praised what I was doing and told me Thank You, that it was very kind of me to do this, or they loved the idea. There was one person who asked if I took donations, several more questioned it being free.
Another came up and said she had two children at home, then apologized for being so "demanding" and rude for asking for two cookies. It started to rain, but I still had cookies to give away. Several times, when a group of people saw someone ahead of them take a cookie, they took one too. Was it peer pressure, or a confirmation that maybe it wasn't bad? I didn't judge, and would probably have felt just as awkward being offered a cookie.
This is my community. And I'm making it better. What are you doing?
Funny how folk react to a bit of random kindness... I am reminded that there's no such thing as a free lunch.... perhaps they thought there was no such thing as a free cookie! Well done on seeing it through :)
...Notre Dame, Paris. A photo I took several years ago after my daughter and I lit candles but appropriate nonetheless.
My Heart bleeds for the parents and the survivors.
Took this after my friend died a couple of months ago. Something about candles is so comforting. RIP to the beautiful angels xx
Very saddened. At a loss for words but praying for all the grieving families. May the Lord uphold then through this terrible time.
My tribute to the Candle light vigil.....
http://rosswalkerphotos.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-home-town-in-connecticut.html
Please continue to pray for the victims, their families, and for the communites of Sandy Hook and Newtown.
. . .shine down on those who grieve and bring them peace.
Rest in Peace