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Newtown
Dec 15, 2012 0:36:33 GMT -7
Post by Grant on Dec 15, 2012 0:36:33 GMT -7
I live here in Newtown. It is so unreal. Heartbreaking. Grant
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Newtown
Dec 15, 2012 1:06:49 GMT -7
Post by lenke on Dec 15, 2012 1:06:49 GMT -7
I learned about this this morning. My prayers to those left shattered by this senseless violence
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Newtown
Dec 15, 2012 14:28:39 GMT -7
Post by Jane on Dec 15, 2012 14:28:39 GMT -7
Oh Grant, I was so sorry to hear about this dreadful tragedy in your community. It has been on the news and in the papers here too. It is truly heartbreaking.
Jane
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Newtown
Dec 15, 2012 14:43:22 GMT -7
Post by Haz on Dec 15, 2012 14:43:22 GMT -7
It is heartbreaking for everyone. Those of us who worked in an elementary school can clearly picture that horror happening to those little ones and staff. We had the same security system in our school. However, needing to be buzzed in doesn't help if a staff member knows the person. You are going to let him in. In the next province to ours, a man gained access to a locked school by claiming he was going to register his child for school. He gained access to classrooms then drew his gun. We had monthly lock-down drills so the kids would know what to do. Of course, Canada doesn't have half as many guns as the States. We are still prepared anyway. That horror could happen anywhere. Those poor parents!
Our sympathy to all concerned.
Haz
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Newtown
Dec 15, 2012 21:45:32 GMT -7
Post by welovedj on Dec 15, 2012 21:45:32 GMT -7
Oh Grant, it must be such a mixture of emotions in Newtown right now...I have become obsessed with the coverage and have been crying my eyes out...I can't imagine being in the middle of it all. It is just incomprehensible and I understand that our wonderful media wants us to "get inside of the mind" of this monster, but I care more about learning about those who lost their lives and their families. More stories are coming out now and the selfless bravery of school staff is heroic...Vicki Soto has captured many hearts, including mine.
May they all RIP and may these parents find strength in which seems so be impossible for any human to have to deal with. Heaven has just gained a bunch of innocent young Angels as well as their innocent and very brave protectors who lost their lives trying to protect those babies.
It is all so gut wrenching.
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Newtown
Dec 16, 2012 2:02:38 GMT -7
Post by Grant on Dec 16, 2012 2:02:38 GMT -7
I think so many of us are still in shock. My colleague lost her son and my distant third cousin didn't make it out alive. Seeing our small town Newtown on the news is beyond unbelievable.
Shayla is very nervous and getting jumpy at the slightest sound. I am giving her extra attention throughout the day.
Grant
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Newtown
Dec 16, 2012 7:09:11 GMT -7
Post by susan on Dec 16, 2012 7:09:11 GMT -7
Grant, I am so sorry that all of the families involved have to go thru such a horrible thing. Prayers and hugs coming your way. Susan
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Newtown
Dec 17, 2012 2:44:41 GMT -7
Post by Grant on Dec 17, 2012 2:44:41 GMT -7
It was nice to have the President come here and speak at our vigil.
When we got into the lobby after the speech, there was a wall stacked full of teddy bears that were donated by people. All of the kids who were there got to pick one. They were so very excited, it was a great moment. Seeing that amount of teddy bears together in one place was amazing to see.
The media people are very unobtrusive; they are around but still give everybody space. There are probably around 60 broadcasting satellite trucks throughout the town.
Much love to everyone here on the forum.
Grant
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Newtown
Dec 17, 2012 5:04:40 GMT -7
Post by DF on Dec 17, 2012 5:04:40 GMT -7
Wow, Grant, your town and lives have been hit hard between storms and now this tragic loss (I believe one of the pastors said the same) My prayers for you, your coworker's and cousin's families
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Newtown
Dec 17, 2012 5:31:50 GMT -7
Post by Shirl on Dec 17, 2012 5:31:50 GMT -7
This is bad there . Grant hope you are ok with all of this . I can't get over all this .Shirl
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Newtown
Dec 17, 2012 16:55:14 GMT -7
Post by welovedj on Dec 17, 2012 16:55:14 GMT -7
It was a beautiful service....I watched it all. Very emotional.
I loved seeing how happy the kids were when the therapy dogs showed up. They were snuggling and petting them...their faces lit up with those sweet dogs.
Those poor kids and parents...must have not been easy to send kids to school today, I wonder how many stayed home - I am a psycho with DJ...if I had kids I would be far worse, especially during a situation such as this.
When I saw Emilee Parker's dad speak, I totally broke down. I don't know where he found the strength...he seems like such a wonderful, loving man and daddy. My heart was breaking with every word he spoke.
I hope you are as well as can be through all of this Grant...it can't be easy. The shock will wear off and it may hit many people very hard...my thoughts and prayers go out to all in that town.
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Newtown
Dec 18, 2012 7:46:02 GMT -7
Post by Walt and Disney on Dec 18, 2012 7:46:02 GMT -7
Every year, I put up a Christmas Display that has lights synchronized to music that is broadcast over a FM radio.
I added the following sequence to it this year that plays once per cycle.
God Bless the victims and their families.
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Newtown
Dec 19, 2012 11:24:04 GMT -7
Post by lenke on Dec 19, 2012 11:24:04 GMT -7
thats so thoughtful walt!
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Newtown
Dec 19, 2012 19:09:00 GMT -7
Post by Haz on Dec 19, 2012 19:09:00 GMT -7
That was a wonderful thing to do Walt.
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Newtown
Dec 14, 2013 20:26:30 GMT -7
Post by Grant on Dec 14, 2013 20:26:30 GMT -7
Today is the one year anniversary of the massacre.
There is a huge snowstorm going on so vigils are cancelled. I didn't see a single media person all day and it was very quiet. It is still very local and personal to me. The shooter took lessons for two years at the studio I worked at. The Chalk Hill School building the students now go to was empty before this and we used to use it for storage and as an option for our studio's summer camp location.
I still teach many of the kids who were in Sandy Hook Elementary School at the time of the shooting. One of them left lessons for a while in the spring. She just came back and I now know that she left because she needed to recover ... from Boston. I knew that there were Newtown residents at the finish line in Boston when the bombs exploded. When she came back I learned that it was her. She is still shaken up but I am grateful to be able to work on Christmas songs with her. These kids are so resilient. It is very inspiring.
Every day is a remembrance and a struggle for many to get through. It is always part of our day as everybody lost someone that they care about. My friend and colleague who lost her son is still isolated.
What I have learned is that when life seems really bad I don't get upset about it ... My worst day is really not that bad compared to what others in this world are going through.
Grant
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