On the morning of December 14th, 2012 and 20 yr old man killed his mom and then went to Sandy Hill Elementary in CT and gunned down 26 people – 20 of which were young children between the ages of 6-8. He then shot himself. It is an absolutely heart-breaking situation. Sean documented the following experience he had with Brennan that afternoon.
I should also note that he texted me “Mama, I have your babies and they are safe.” that afternoon. It is just what I needed to hear. I am married to a wonderful man who loves our children as much as me!
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Hello Friends and Family,
I just want to share my experience with Brennan from last Friday with you. Brennan is in Kindergarten now and I went to pick him up at noon last Friday.
Caelan and I had seen what happened at Sandy Hook and it was really hard for me to keep it together but I had to go get B from school and to be honest noon could not have arrived quickly enough last week. The walk to school was pretty somber and we encountered the regular crowd on the way, there was not a lot of chat on that walk but there were plenty of tears. As we waited in the courtyard we all tried to get happy for our kids as they would soon be coming out. It was very clear by looking around at the faces of people who had seen the news of the day. When a mom who had not heard the news would ask what was going on there was an awkward silence as no one wanted to share this news with another parent waiting at the school for their little one to come home.
The kids burst from the school with their typical fervor and ran to their waiting parents, perhaps I was a bit too huggy or maybe he could just read the faces all around him but the first thing Brennan asked me was why everyone was so sad… I did not know what to say…. I told him it was just a sad day and we headed home quietly with our pack.
As we sat down for lunch Brennan asked me why it was a sad day… I decided to let him watch the president speak about the terrible attack and then do the best I could from there… I of course got a little teary again as I watched and Brennan watched.
When it was over he asked if those kids would really never come home for Christmas, I told him they had died and that their families would never see them again and that was why I was so sad. He ate quietly for a little bit and then he turned to me with that smile you only see when a child has done something grand and they know it…. “Papa,” he said, “It’s okay, All those kids get to have Christmas in Heaven.”
I am so thankful at the place Brennan’s December 14th ended, and what a not so terrible day it was for him. I wish I could have gone with him so quickly and confidently to that place. My wish for you all this holiday season is that you too could get to that place too.
Merry Christmas,
Sean
