On sowing seeds of blessing out of tragedy
I, like I'm sure so many others, am still reeling from the massacre of those kids and teachers in Connecticut.
I didn't tell the kids about it. At least not until Sunday, when I knew at least one of them, Jacob, would hear of what happened, as it would be addressed in the Monday Tefilah (prayer), and I didn't want him blindsided. He couldn't wrap his head around why/how anyone would/could do such a thing, and just asked "why? why?" I also told Mali, very simply, what happened, and her immediate, earnest, response was to suggest "we should give them Tzedakah" (charitable donations).
So sweet. Such a love. And we will certainly give Tzdakah to one or more of the charities chosen by the victims' families**, but I wanted to find some way to honor their memories more tangibly than just sending a donation.
That's when I came across this inspiring article that asks "What if? Imagine if everyone could commit to doing one act of kindness for [every one] killed in Newton." http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/18/15999109-if-you-do-good-youll-feel-good-ann-curry-explains-origins-of-26acts-of-kindness?lite
This is perfect. Just the kind of thing we can do as a family. Something that can be meaningfully tied to the memories of those kids and teachers, yet stand on its own as something we can do, to, in some small way, make our world a better place.
I'm in. **I found this listing of charities chosen by the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting in Newton: http://newtown.patch.com/articles/how-you-can-help-memorial-donations-for-sandy-hook-victims-58a9fe92