I don’t know about you, but I’ve been a mess since last Friday’s Sandy Hook shooting. A conflicted, sad, fearful, desperate mess. I’ve been trying to have a normal day – but so many times a day a single move or word will make me stop and, not just cry, weep. In a single motion of putting a blanket on my sleeping daughter (7), in the image of a child skipping into school, or while volunteering in the classroom when rather than focusing on the gingerbread house I’m helping to build, I’m looking around the room from a teacher’s point of view and concocting an escape plan. I weep for the parents who will never have a normal day again. At times I even feel guilty ever enjoying any of these moments when others are suffering so greatly.

I have been searching for a meaningful way for my family and I to reach out, and after a friend of mine whose son is a student at Sandy Hook posted a request from their PTA, I have the answer. I wanted to share this with everyone who might also be looking for the same thing.

It’s snowflakes. Beautiful, pure, snowflakes, which will decorate the new school that Sandy Hook students will attend. Here is why this speaks to me:

They represent the lives lost: no two are alike

They are a representation of the irreplaceable and unique people that are no longer with us but have had an impact on every person they touched.

They are a symbol of hope and beauty

They will provide a visual support that I can be part of. The kids, the staff, the parents can look at them every day and see how many people are out here pouring our love into their community.

It will be easy to explain and do with my kids.

I’ve struggled with what to tell my kids about the shooting. For now, they know a group of people, including children, were killed in Connecticut last week and the person responsible also died. They don’t know it was in a school. I feel comfortable having our entire family make snowflakes together and telling them that they are being sent to the school that the kids were from to show our love and support.

Here is the address to send your snowflakes by January 12, 2013:

Connecticut PTSA

60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103

Hamden, CT  06514

For more ways to help the Sandy Hook community visit the Connecticut PTA.

Plus, more on TheBump.com

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Mom Reactions to Sandy Hook shooting