apologies for the delay…yesterday, as I’m sure you all know, was crazy.
the day started off well enough…I woke up, enjoyed a nice comforting breakfast –
{oatmeal with diced peaches, sunflower seed butter, granola and coffee with soymilk}
watched some christmas movies, obsessively checked for my grades (I got all A’s – a solid 4.0 for my first semester!) then made lunch around 12:30 –
{scrambled eggs, mozzarella, roasted asparagus, OJ}
my mind is still reeling – I can barely sit down and reflect on yesterday being real. the elementary school that I went to, my precious little hometown that is so idyllic and safe. It’s beyond my comprehension that something like this could happen there. my heart is breaking for those families that lost people and for all those children that don’t get the chance to grow up feeling safe, protected and wrapped in the arms of my cozy little town like I did. I can’t even imagine what they’re thinking and feeling.
I went to the gym to try to work out…just so I could be doing something. I mindlessly did the elliptical for about 40 minutes only to finish and get a call from my mom that my grandmother had been rushed to the hospital.
she seems to be doing better…but needless to say, yesterday was not my day.
I had absolutely no appetite at this point, but I managed to get a little dinner down because I knew I should eat…
{brown rice veggie sushi with edamame}
I can’t wait to wrap my arms around my mom, whom I’m so glad was safe, and just see my whole family and hold them as tightly as possible.
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Cait, I wish I could give you a hug. It is insanity here; we were planning to come home anyway to see Jacey, but driving into Newtown behind news trucks… Surreal doesn’t even cover it. My mom thankfully took the day off of work so wasn’t there, but she knows everyone who works there and one of the victims emailed her 20 minutes before the shooting occurred. The whole way home I was telling Ian about how great it was growing up there and relayed a lot of memories about you and me and Michelle. Love you lots, hugging you close from afar. <3
Also Jeffy is volunteering at our church all day, and the press is camped out literally everywhere! They approach everyone coming in to pray, they approach people coming into and out of stores, it is crazy!!!
Oh my gosh that’s so crazy. I’m SO thankful your Mom took the day off! That was one of the first things I thought about…was whether or not she would be there!
And I know – it’s so hard to comprehend that something like this happened in our town. It’s surreal!
Although I didn’t know exactly where you grew up, I gathered from your blog posts that you were in Connecticut at some point in your life. So, I checked to see if you wrote something about Sandy Hook. I was more than surprised when you said you actually went there. What a tragedy! 🙁 I am a teacher too and even though we have all these lock down drills, nothing really prepares anyone for a real incident. Would I be as brave and quick thinking as those teachers? I sure hope so. My heart goes out to you and the community you grew up in… Especially to the families who lost loved ones.
Thank you Margarita…words cannot express how crazy it is that something like this happened in my town. It’s so unreal I can’t even get my mind around it.
My heart is with you. This tragedy is senseless….
I completely agree…and thank you Erica. Hug your little girl tight tonight!
My best friend grew up in Sandy Hook, too—she went to the school, her mom worked there for years (and was just transferred to another school this September). Glad your loved ones are safe <3
Oh my gosh – thank goodness she was! Who is your best friend? I wonder if we know each other?
so sorry girl! thinking of you and your family today
Thanks Lindsay 🙂
I’m still speechless… how people can do these things terrifies me.
Congrats on your As!!!
I agree – I think that’s the worst part of it all for me. And thank you! 🙂
You went there?? 🙁 It’s horrible news for everyone, but it must be so much worse if that was your old school. I hope your grandmother is ok! What a rubbish day! 🙁
Thanks Becca – it certainly is not a day I’m ever looking to repeat!! My grandmother is doing well – thank you!
Oh my gosh, I can’t even imagine how difficult yesterday must have been for you. Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Thank you Liz – that means so much!
Oh goodness, I’m so sorry, Cait.
Thank you Nikki!
Yesterday was crazy! And I’m so sorry to hear this happened in your hometown AND that your grandma wasn’t doing well. Definitely sounds like a rough day but I hope things get better soon. We found out that the sister in-law of the mother of the gunman lives in my town….crazy!
Oh my gosh! It can be such a small world sometimes….crazy is right!
I have no words… As a mother and a teacher, my heart longs for even a minescule amount of peace for all the lives impacted. Prayers.
Agreed – no words will make this make any sort of sense. Thank you for your prayers!
Oh Cait, I had no idea you grew up in Sandy Hook. I live in Newtown. 2 minutes from the school. This town has always felt so safe. I can’t believe such a travesty happened here, and I know you share my sentiments. Sending so much love to my CT sister <3
Oh my gosh I had no idea you lived in Newtown! And I agree…I never once worried about my safety growing up here. Sending my love right back at you…and for our town!
Cait I had no idea that was your elementary school. Oh my gosh, my thoughts and prayers go out to you especially! I can’t even imagine having such a connection there. There isn’t a single soul in America who feels some ounce of despair after the tragedy.
Thanks Lauren…it’s definitely surreal. There are just no words to express it. I can’t believe this happened in the place where I felt so safe growing up.
I’m so sorry! For those precious young lives, for those heroic teachers, for the parents, for the community, for the gunman’s family, for children everywhere, for all Americans who are grieving in an obviously different way then those related, but still grieving in their own way. Can’t imagine if it had been the school/town I grew up in! And on top of that, to find out your grandmother was in the hospital! I don’t know what to say except that I’m praying for everyone affected.
Thank you Kelly…I know those prayers are not only needed by the community but so appreciated.
I’m so sorry! Sorry for those precious young lives, for those heroic teachers, for the parents, for the community, for the gunman’s family, for children everywhere, for all Americans who are grieving in an obviously different way then those related, but still grieving in their own way. Can’t imagine if it had been the school/town I grew up in! And on top of that, to find out your grandmother was in the hospital! I don’t know what to say except that I’m praying for everyone affected.
No words can express how I feel for the victims and their family right now. My heart goes out to you and all those who have been affected! Am so sorry it happened to your school. ):
I agree – there are definitely no words. And thank you…I’m just so sorry for all those who have suffered. It’s unimaginable.
Cait, I am so sorry. I feel so sad for all those people but I can only imagine how you feel having gone there. It is such a tragedy.
It truly is….and thank you for your kind words!
It all seems so unreal – I have to echo Margaritas comments above ^^
While I teach in Canada – its true, we practice lock downs all the time…never really thinking it could happen. Here’s to our prayers bringing light to those in need, including your grandma.
I know – as soon as I saw the news I had flashbacks to the drills we did never thinking even ONCE that it was a possibility. It’s crazy. And thank you – my grandmother is doing well so your prayers truly helped!
Wow, that hits very close to home for you. I hope you’re a bit better now. I think it’s a real tragedy and am sure many peoples’ love, hearts, hugs, thoughts, prayers and help are being sent out to those people and their families. I couldn’t even imagine it.
I’m definitely doing a bit better…thank you for asking!
Cait, please know that the entire nation (and world for that matter) is behind your community as life continues to go on after this horrible event.
Thank you Emily…that means so much!
Cait, I am so sorry to hear about what happened at Sandy Hook and that it’s so close to you. My heart breaks for your town and all of those who have been affected and will remain in my thoughts.
Thank you Allison, you’re so sweet!