New Year's Resolution

Ah yes, it's that time of year again.  When we all say we're going to lose a bunch of weight, or spend more time relaxing, or blah, blah, blah.  And typically, within a few weeks, we've all forgotten or given up on our resolutions, and say we are going to try again next year.  However, I think New Year's Resolutions can be a very positive thing.  By making a resolution, I set a goal for myself for the coming year.  A new year that is filled with hope.  It's a time of renewal.  I think goals are important, and they are especially important to write down.  So, as cliched as it is, I do make New Year's resolutions.

Last year, I made two resolutions.  They were to lose 20 pounds, and to find a new church.  Although I only lost 15 pounds (which is a huge deal for me), I am happy to say that I made a great amount of progress on these two resolutions.  I have found a church I love attending, and I feel better about myself.

I started thinking about my 2013 resolutions a couple of months ago.  I like to include things that I truly want to learn, or work on. I actually have three resolutions for 2013...  

My first is to start learning how to sew like my Nanny.  Those of you that know her know that she is an amazing seamstress.  She can fix anything that needs altering, or she can create something brand new.  She has more business that she can keep up with, and I would like to be able to help her out with that.

My second is to learn to play the piano.  This has truly been a lifelong goal (and one that is on my bucket list).  My mom was a very talented piano player, and I love that she could just sit down and play.  I miss hearing the songs she used to play, and I want to help keep her memory alive by learning to play those songs myself.  Plus, I love music, and I think it is a travesty that I am nearly 27 years old, and I have yet to learn to play an instrument.

My third resolution is to continue to live a healthier lifestyle, and lose another 20 pounds.  I think 20 pounds is very reasonable, and I think that it is very doable.  Really, that's just over 1 pound a month.  Could I lose more?  Yes, and I hope I do.  But with my weight loss struggles over the last 4 years, I think 20 pounds is a solid goal for me.

I'm interested to know, what are your New Year's Resolutions?  Please feel free to share in the comments section!

Happy New Year to you!  I hope 2013 brings each of you lots of blessings and happiness.

In His Sight

I think we are all reeling from the unbelievably tragic shooting at the Sandy Hook school in Connecticut.  I have never been so saddened by something in my life, and I don't even know these poor people.  I have cried, and cried over this.  I can't even imagine what these families feel.  Losing their precious 6-and-7 year-olds.  Their lives haven't even started.  The unbelievable bravery that was shown by the teachers and staff at that school, those who sacrificed themselves to try and stop the shooter, and those teachers who successfully hid their students so the gunman could not access them.  I am in awe of these people.

I don't yet have children of my own, but I have numerous cousins, and I have friends who have little ones, mostly between the ages of 1 and 4.  They aren't mine, but I could never imagine losing one of them. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.  But I especially can't imagine losing them in a tragedy like a school shooting.  It is such a senseless act.  These children were completely innocent.  They had done nothing wrong.  They probably didn't even understand what was going on when it happened.  That breaks my heart.

Today at church, we sat behind a couple, and their son, who I would guess is about 4 years old.  He was absolutely adorable.  His little book bag had his name on it, so I know his name is Aiden.  Aiden has big, blue eyes, and light brown hair that hangs in his eyes a little.  He is cute, as are all 4 year-old boys.  He was very well-behaved, and sat in church without a problem.  He did something today, though, that I think will stick with me for a long time.  The preacher had us all stand as he read from the Bible.  Aiden's mom and dad stood up, and his mom was holding the Bible open to the verses we were reading.  It took him a minute, but Aiden dug around in his book bag, and pulled out his children's Bible.  He stood up on the chair, and modeling his mom's behavior, he opened his Bible, and stared at the page.  Then, he glanced up, through the hair over his eyes, to make sure he was doing what his mom was doing.  He continued to look at the Bible, like he was reading it, until the preacher was finished.  I wish I could have taken a picture when he looked up at his mom.  He was so serious, and knew what he was doing was important.

I mention this small event for several reasons.  One, because it was heart-breakingly sweet.  Two, it models what is obviously good parenting, because it is normal for him to see his parents holding a Bible, and he copied accordingly.  But most importantly, he is innocent.  He is a little boy, who has no fear.  He is obviously happy, and loved, and cared for.  He doesn't know the horror that so many children in Connecticut now know.  And I pray to God that it stays that way for him.

Every child should have Aiden's innocence, and sense of security.  Every child should be able to go to church with his parents, and read from the Bible, and go to school, and be safe.  No child should be killed by someone who has a grudge for who knows what.  No child should ever be worried about their safety.

This shooting in Connecticut certainly has me on edge, as a teacher.  It worries me, because it seems like events like this are happening more and more.  I'm scared for my students.  I'm scared for this country.  We have to do something, to protect the Aidens of this world.  What is it that we can do?  I'm really not sure.  I don't think gun control is the answer.  But I don't know what the answer is.  Maybe compassion, empathy, friendliness?  So that people don't feel alone, so that they don't get so upset about something that they kill innocents.  But is that enough?  I'm not sure.  I will never understand what possessed this man to go into an elementary school and kill little children.  I don't see how that could ever be justified.  But changes must come, and they must come quickly, so that this will never happen again.

As I left church today, the song "Jesus Loves the Little Children" was in my head.

Jesus loves the little children.

All of the children of the word.

Red and yellow, black, and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Those 20 babies that were killed on Friday are with their Heavenly Father now.  And I know, for those parents, that is a very small comfort.  But Jesus does love those children, and they are with Him now.  And it is because they are precious, that they are loved.

I don't think this country will ever forget what happened on Friday.  And we will never forget those 20 children.  I know that I won't.  God bless these families.