“Actions are the first tragedy in life, words are the second. Words are perhaps the worst. Words are merciless. . .”
― Oscar Wilde
My title, as I must give credit, comes for Ernest Hemingway. I felt it fitting. I understand what it's most like referring to, but in this instance, it takes on a whole new meaning. I can not go without commenting on the awful and quite surreal events that occurred in Connecticut just two short days ago. There have been other detestable and heartbreaking tragedies, but nothing to this magnitude save one-9/11. Every mother, father, sister, brother, grandparent, aunt, uncle, and everyone else in between have felt a horror that strikes directly to their core with the depravity of this. No one can wrap their minds around it all.
I picked up my kids early from school that day and couldn't wait to hug them. I know every other parent felt the same that day and everyday since. However, I can't help but weep and feel my heart just crumble for those parents who can no longer do this. So close to Christmas, and children so young, they still believe in the spirit of Christmas. How do you go home and see those presents that they'll never get to open now? You couldn't wait to see their expressions on Christmas morning when they tore open the paper and revealed that one thing they've been begging for. I can't even begin to fathom the pain. My heart aches for them all.
I quoted Oscar Wilde above for the reason of that it relates directly to the point of the matter I wish to discuss regarding this horror. I have a really big problem with the media's involvement in all this. They turned one of the most tragic days into a sensational story that they could use in the advancement of their careers. I wonder how many of them thought that this would get them a Pulitzer. It makes me so sick to see how they hound people who's world has literally just been turned upside down and then proceed to shove it down the rest of the world's throat. I don't want to see the monster's ugly despicable mug plastered across my tv screen or newspaper. They make these soulless psychopaths into superstars in the blink of an eye. His name should never have been released, let alone his picture. Now those parents of whom he took their most precious of all things have to see his face on every channel, every network, every newspaper and they can't do anything about it. They can't lash out against a picture, but that picture can haunt them for a lifetime. HOW IS THAT FAIR?!
Report the story, revere the victims, ignore the beast that committed it all. He wants exactly what he got. He's now infamous because our media made him such. He does not deserve such recognition, he deserves to be forgotten forever and the only ones remembered are the ones who lost their lives. I honestly can't help but be so appalled at how we have so distorted one of the key elements this nation was founded upon-Freedom of speech. We wanted to escape the tyranny of not being able to voice our own opinions, but we have turned it around, flipped it, remade it, and packaged it in exceptions. We are free to insult others, to spew our messages of hate, to revere those who don't belong in such positions, make Gods those who would be anything but if the world looked at who they really are. All under the guise of the First Amendment rights. So rarely do we use it as it was intended. We have the choice in what we wish to say, why would abuse such a gift with spewing negativity and bilious perversions of life? There are ways to sell your story with respect for all involved. If you can't do that, then you don't belong in journalism. Journalists have now become synonymous with rabid sharks rather than respected for informing us of world events or discussions of pertinent issues. I no longer want to be a journalist, just a writer. I know I would never make it in such a world where morality is considered a weakness.
From something wicked, we are reminded so vividly of the innocence of youth. We take this for granted so often these days. Kids are pushed and pushed to grow up so very fast, never left to let them just breathe and play and linger in that innocence for very long. This incident has reminded us to slow down, hug everyone, love everyone every chance you get, because the next chance may never come. It has reminded us of that innocence and just how precious it truly is. Maybe now we'll remember to slow down our lives and play that extra game of "Piggy Went to Market" or hide and seek, even if it makes you late for work. We'll never say goodbye with saying I love you again. That may be the sense behind this nonsensical incident. We needed reminding of how much we need to let those we love know just how much they mean to us. It's so sad and distressing that it took such an appalling thing to get our attention to this. From something so wicked, we SEE the innocence again-something we never should have stopped looking for.
I don't know who you are reading this, but I do know somewhere within me, I love you. I love you for having a heart and for your compassion and for everything that makes you YOU. I say this because I think so many people think that no else in this cold world cares or could care without proving themselves, but that's not true. This is how we lost sight of what mattered-we demand proof before we believe in a person, rather than believing and if proof comes to validate that we made a good decision, great, if not, oh well. I think this is why I cry every time I read or watch The Polar Express-it's innocence remembered and made real. Believing for the sake of believing. Remember your childhood and the silly things that used to occupy your time and the pure love you had in your heart. You never questioned that you loved someone, you just knew you did.
