Today…

While my kiddo usually goes to pre-school and the sitter on work days, today he’s with me.

This morning, he went to his annual cleft palate evaluation appointment with his mom and me. This afternoon, for various reasons, he stayed with me. I’ll admit, it’s nearly impossible to get any work done when he’s here. And… yeah… during a busy month, losing a day of work can be extremely stressful.

But today I wouldn’t want him anywhere else.

Today, I’m trying to figure out how I’ll ever drop him off at school (or anywhere else that I can’t protect him) again.

He’s not aware of the tragedy in Newton. If he was, he’d most likely have a thousand questions. And I wouldn’t have a clue how to answer. I can barely wrap my brain around today’s events.

But here’s what I know.

Something’s gotta give. Something’s gotta change. Now, I have friends and family members who will take exception to this. Reading this, you might disagree with me. I can appreciate that, but I can promise you that there is no amount of debate that will change the way I feel. I respect that you might have a difference of opinion, but I’m pretty cemented in my way of thinking.

The very mention of “gun control” can terrify people, but try to understand my position. I don’t think guns are evil. I’m not suggesting that responsible adults shouldn’t own guns.  But I do believe that what we’re doing now as a country isn’t working. The discussion has to start somewhere, and it should have started before now.

This is a link to a petition asking the Obama Administration to “Immediately address the issue of gun control through the introduction of legislation to Congress.” With 25,000 signatures, the Administration is obliged to act on the issue. Certainly, this is something already being considered, but adding your voice to the outcry will not hurt.

You can also  find contact information for your congressional House representatives here.

Find your senators here.

Write to them. Let them know how you feel.

For a little more on this subject, check out what Greg Rucka and Kelly Sue DeConnick have to say.

As I’m sitting on the couch typing this out… trying to figure out the words… trying to make sense of it all, my son just walked over and gave me a kiss for no reason. Whether or not I’m ever able to adequately express my thoughts, that little act put things into very sharp focus for me.

My heart goes out to the families in CT.

Thanks for bearing with me, folks.