Slaughter, Silence and Santa

When writers are unsettled with their emotions, we write. Of course, I am distraught over the loss of 20 precious children and six adults plus the mother of a very disturbed young man in Newtown, Connecticut, as all of you are and the terrible truths we will face in the aftermath of this unprecedented slaughter.

In coming weeks, many will display signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, something I am all too familiar with. Grief coupled with PTSD is not pretty. It reaches into the very deepest hole in your soul and leaves a gaping wound that can take months or years to heal. For some, it may never heal and they will be triggered by sights, scents, and memories all their lives. This may causer rapid breathing, tears, nausea and even phobias. I pray that each and every one affected personally by this tragedy avail themselves of the help offered, including the first responders and other emergency personnel.

According to news reports, the children and adults of quaint Newtown are going to be players in the unveiling of their annual live nativity display this evening. Somehow, they are not letting the ultimate Grinch steal their Christmas. They will also undoubtedly be attending vigils and prayer sessions for those lost and holding tight to friends and family for comfort.

Today, my twenty-something son bounded into New York City in full Santa dress to participate in SantaCon, an annual pseudo fundraising event/parade/bar crawl that is reported to draw over 20,000 participants dressed in costume. They bring with them two non-perishable items or monetary donations. Last year the event raised over $10,000 for the needy according to SantaCon/NY and there are SantaCons taking place today in 37 countries. Those taking part and, perhaps, making merry are no less touched by the awful news from Newtown and, I'm sure, will catch up with more details later this evening.

Still reeling in the New York tri-state area from Hurricane Sandy, we can only call upon hope and in the silent times, wish for healing, comfort and peace. Perhaps 20,000 Santas will make a difference to someone today. It will certainly be an exciting spectacle for the children of Manhattan but also, I envision, a circle of Santa safety for a time for those children - those precious children - and, maybe, for all our babies everywhere.

Rest in peace my Newtown neighbors.