I have been trying to decide what to write... about all of the terrible happenings in Tucson this past Saturday, January 8, 2011. I have had various Active Rainers email me asking me when my post would be forthcoming.
I know some are expecting, and with good reason, a post about any one of a number of liberal/progressive subjects and causes I hold dear... and to connect it with this horrible tragedy to prove some political point. Not this time, my friends.
I have decided on this:
If there are rain puddles in heaven... Christina is jumping in them today.
You know she is! Lovely sentiment Karen Anne :)
2:53pm... Sorry, Cindy... I thought I put this into the Draft mode... duh. It isn't finished. I need more coffee.
3:11pm... ok... it's finished now. I hope you take another look. Thanks for your patience. My mind is still frazzled over this horrific event.
Thanks for the heads up...I thought maybe the big space was for emphasis. A beautiful girl taken away to early. The picture is perfect.
Nicely done, Karen Ann. This was a tragedy that should not have happened. I don't even pretend to know what the families are going through, but we all just have to hope and pray they get through, somehow.
Cindy, for all we know, and with what we DID know about this girl's attitude... someday she could have been President of the United States. It would have been so easy for me to write something vengeful, but somewhere... it's just got to stop.
Jean, to lose your child, your pride and joy, you just have to know that her family, and all who loved her will never, ever recover. Yes... this should never have happened. But the question is... where do we go from here ?
David, I am just sitting here... tearfully staring at this little angel's picture. How does a parent deal with this. One day at a time just doesn't cut it. Minute by minute... that's all one can do.
Karen, Simple and beautiful, that is all that needs to be posted...it gave me goosebumps!
Christine, this was a very special girl who was wrenched from her parents, and from all who loved her. And she was very beautiful, indeed.
Very appropriate. No need to politicalize a tragic event for the victims, their families and their community.
Mel
Beautiful and poignant, you do it so well, hats off.
Wow....this stunned me. Not because I thought you'd write a political piece, but because of the simplicity and beauty. Very, very powerful
Karen Ann, It's difficult to find words that say what the heart feels when something like this happens. You have managed to do it, thank you!
Mel: I agree... obviously. A tragedy like this justt goes on and on. Those who knew and loved this young woman will never be the same.
Liz: Such a waste. Such a beautiful little girl. Somewhere today I saw her referred to as an adult in a little girl's body. My version... an angel in a little girl's body.
My wish for us... is that someday each of us find our own rain puddles.
Honestly, I just feel like getting in my car, hitting I-20 and I-10 to Tucson... and sitting in that Kroger parking lot... and crying.
Karen Anne- you are so thoughtful. This is touching and perfectly posted. Peace.
Karen: The whole thing stunned me. It still is/does. The simple, the beautiful. Those words described this little girl perfectly. An angel in a little girl's body. What it the world are her parents going to do ?
Oh Karen... I honestly don't know if I could go through what they have in front of them. I really don't.
Karen Anne, this is just not the time is it. Your post is very much appreciated. I know I was crying over all this mess.
And for all the victims, I wept.
Wanda: I don't know if there ARE words to say what a tragically broken heart feels with something like this. I waited six days to write this. I just could not do it sooner. You are quite welcome. If only I could have been there... and put my arms around this child before that shot was taken. So many "if only's."
Jennifer: Peace. Where do we find it ? Where can Christina's parents go ? I really do not want to sound like a crazy person, here. But. There are way too many "buts." They go right next to the "if only's."
My daughter Robin was nine years old when she and I moved to Dallas/Fort Worth in 1982. Christina was nine years old. I remember how I felt the first day I took Robin to her new school after we arrived... and the worry I felt about whether she would be ok. I take that same set of thoughts... and try and swap them out with thoughts of Christina.
Honestly, I am not going overboard here. I am simply being human. There are days when doing that is much easier than others.
Peace.
The death of little Christina Karen Anne among the others is very sad. Such senselessness. I hate the politicizing of this event too. Memorials should be memorials.
Andrea: Maybe if there was thirty-eight inches of snow in that Kroger parking lot last Saturday like you had up in Connecticut... this would not have happened.
And... I know that ALL of the victims are truly worthy of weeping. I feel that. I did my best to seek out their stories online... and try and "be with them" and bring them into my heart. They, too, deserve that. But... perhaps it is because I taught eleven and twelve year old girls for nine years... that my heart and spirit found focus on Christina.
This little girl played second base on the boys Little League team. The school at which I taught... a St. Felicitas Catholic elementary school in Cleveland... Euclid, actually... drafted me... yes... "me"... to be the girls phys ed teacher... so they wouldn't have to pay extra for one. I can see this little tomboy playing second base.
And every night since this happened... before I nodded off to sleep... I strained every fiber of my being... trying to send positive energies to all of those who lost their loved ones that day... and to all those trying to recover some semblance of wholeness from their injuries.
Perfect...sometimes less is more, especially when a child is taken from our midst by violence.
Valerie: Someone wrote about jumping in rain puddles in a book that was somehow connected to Christina. Right now I cannot remember what it was... but I believe President Obama used the quote in his remembrance of her in his speech to the nation. It truly was a sorrowful event.
In listening to all of the commentary that continues on cable about this... every once in awhile someone says something that starts out "if some good can come from this..." and then they fill in that blank with their idea.
Well... no good can possibly come from this tragedy. These people are gone. Little Christina is gone. And those who mourn for them here on earth are forever broken. Only time will show which of them can disguise that broken'ness better than some others.
Gary: I think the "memorial" that took place at the University of Arizona was just perfect. It was hopeful, it was tragic, it was hopelessly sad... and everything in between. I did not think it was political at all.
I only wish that I could have attended, or at least seen full, total coverage of the Mass said for Christina. It was given by the Bishop of Tucson... a man I truly admire... Bishop Gerald Kicanas. Knowing what I know of him... I am sure the service was memorable.
Cindy: I may even cut back the wording in my post even further. The simplicity of this child... this angel in a little girl's body... I wanted my post to speak to her, to speak of her, and to show love for her. I felt so feeble and so powerless in my efforts. I had the picture in mind when I started.
This was so very, very senseless. I know there were six in all who were killed... and I can only hope the others can forgive me for my focus on Christina. I think I had just a small, feeble hint of the promise this child held in the eyes of her parents... but then again... all those who were slain hoped to continue unfolding their own promise as they lived their lives.
Those promises are now gone.
Bravo - Karen Anne - this was beautiful... This was so sad and so senseless. This was a situation where we all need to summon our better angels.
I didn't watch the memorial and I haven't watched any of the coverage on this tragedy...it's just too painful. Senseless and painful. I can't imagine the pain of losing your child. No parent should ever feel that pain. Looking at the picture, I am struck with the bizarre fact that she was born on 9/11/01. Born on the day of one tragedy and died in another one....it gives me goose bumps.
I think to have politicized this would have somehow detracted from the sheer senselessness of an act of madness. The thoughts that produce this kind of horror are so beyond anything my mind can conjure. You couldn't have said it better Karen.
May God bless Christina, her family and everyone else affected by the evil that lives in Jared Loughner and all the Jared Loughners of the world.
Ruthmarie: Usually the sadness would lessen over time. I am sure it is much worse the closer one lives to that fateful Kroger parking lot. I am not so sure that the typical lessening will happen this time... at least for many.
Do we all have "better angels ?" I sure hope so. I read something today that I will post later... perhaps in a week... that was spoken by another survivor... Eric Fuller, 63, who spoke about it today.
My feeble brain just remembered where the "rain puddles" came from. It was written in a book about fifty of the children who were born on September 11, 2001... written next to Christina's picture.
As President Obama said... we can be better. We may not be able to stop all the evil in the world... but I know that how we treat one another... that's entirely up to us."
It's a place to start.
Karen Anne, We are aware that the issue is the heart of a person. How do we change the hearts of people?
Sharon: I have a video of the entire 34 minute speech by President Obama at the Memorial at the University of Arizona. I will put it in another post sometime within the next week... when I can do a proper job of it.
There is a lot bouncing around in my brain... and there are several "flavors" of thought which are competing with each other.
There is no way a parent can truly "live" with the memory of a child taken from them. Maybe try to cope. Perhaps the word "endure" says it better.
Yes, Christina was born on September 11, 2001... and was featured in a book with fifty children who were born on that day. Someone wrote next to her picture the hope that she would "jump in rain puddles."
It appears that she will. Just not where she can share it with us.
As the mother of a beautiful 16 year old daughter, I cannot in my wildest nightmares imagine how they are dealing with this. My brain says this is where faith comes in....my heart would be breaking.
Miss Karen- Superb! No matter what political spin anyone would try to put on this, this angel was taken too quickly.
You have done so many wonderful posts in the years I have been on ActiveRain. I think this one of your best if not the best my friend!
Have a great weekend Karen Anne!
Paul
Kudo's this is not a time for politics.
Well said Karen! No matter what your political leanings, the senseless loss of the life of a little girl is heartbreaking!
An angel born during tragedy and taken home during tragedy; now she is in the arms of Jesus.
Hi Karen Anne... you have shared with the world the perfect example of why when I describe you to others the two words I always choose are "Class Act"! You never cease to impress me.
Karen Anne, This has been so sad! It is so hard to make sense of something that does not make sense! Teral expressed my sentiments perfectly!
Hi Karen Anne, what a beautiful little girl that was. What a shame to lose her.
That was a very sad day indeed!! I can't even image!! Senseless is for sure the right word for it... And I love that quote.. about the puddles!!! so sweet
Karen Anne,
If there is symbolism, it is so really weired. The girl born on September 11 to die like that?
The "what ifs". The "what could have been". The "imagine if". All the potential ... just gone. The loss of this little girl will linger for a long long time. You do right by her with this one, Karen Anne. Thank you ...
Gene
Geri: Politics has no place when you are simply trying to honor this young woman, and comfort her parents and all who loved her. Horror is a most appropriate word to use... although I am sure it does not come close to describing what her parents are feeling. If... that is... they can feel ANYTHING yet.
Charles: That is a pretty deep question, my friend. How do we change the hearts of people ? I don't think we do. I think that somehow they have to get to a place where they change themselves.
Somehow the stage must be set. The world must be re-created in such a way so that those whose minds breed hate... can come to see the senselessness of it all. I don't think that will happen until somehow they are personally affected. What it will take to bring that about... escapes me. Perhaps the senseless death of a child may start it. I sure hope so.
Barb: I think it would take something above and beyond what most people call "faith" to get over this. Hopefully, I am wrong. There is something way down deep that has to be held and comforted. If faith can only bring that about... it is indeed a wonderful thing.
If it happened to me... I don't think I could do it... regardless of all the Catholic input I have received from all my days of trying to "live" it. My heart goes out to this Mom and Dad.
Kathy: From all we have seen and heard... this young Christina was an angel. I don't know of anyone who could not imagine her being their daughter. And I think if this fact alone can bring us at least one step closer to feeling what these parents, and the rest of the relatives of those who were senselessly murdered have felt... perhaps we will get a step closer to making sure it never happens again. One small step may seem inconsequential, but at least it is a step.
Paul: Thank you so much for your kind words. It was one that was so easy to write... yet one that was almost impossible to write... at the same time. Paul... please think of these folks during your weekend. Positive energies can mean so much to those who are hurting.
Susan: This is a time for healing, for caring, and for doing everything in our power to find some positive way to send healing thoughts to these grieving folks.
Bob: I don't know if you have ever lost someone like this... but if you could think back to the happiness that you and Christa felt on your special day... and then turned that happiness inside out, and then multiplied it by some crazy number... that... is how these parents feel. Maybe.
I very much believe in the power of what I choose to call positive energy. Perhaps it is similar to self-created Karma. I'm not sure. But somehow healing simply must take place for these folks... although I am also sure that they cannot even begin to imagine how that will happen. I also believe that each of us... in our own personal way... each of us can help.
Teral: Angels born, and angels taken away. Anyone who has enough faith to handle something like this... is truly fortunate indeed.
Steve: As I mentioned to Paul above... this was so easy to write... yet almost impossible to write... let alone imagine. Bless you for your kind words. I sit here at my monitor and stare at your words "class act..." and all I can think of is Christina. Honestly and truly it makes me want to jump in my Honda and set my sail West on I-20 and I-10 until I get first to that Kroger parking lot, and then to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church where this memorial Funeral Mass took place... and just sit there.
And if you know anything about me... you have to know I am thinking about it. Something inside of me just feels like I must do something. I feel so helpless.
Marchel: It doesn't make sense. No sense at all. There is just so much more that I feel inside that I cannot seem to make enough sense of to put it in one of these silly little comment boxes. My heart is truly with Christina's parents... and with all those who have lost loved ones, and have no place to go with their grief.
Liz: A shame. A life of total broken'ness remains for so many who loved her, and who also love all those who were senselessly taken.
The tragic irony of this child's birth date and loss in this event is overwhelming, Karen Anne.
I can only tell you a story that was included in the back story of Tim Russert when he died. He had come to the aid of a friend who lost a teen age child with a perspective that I found interesting.
If an angel had come to Christina's family before she was born and asked if they wanted a child who would make them happy but only for nine years before she would be lost, would they have accepted that deal - and I think they would.
My point is that perhaps we can take solace in the extraordinary life that Christina had for 3,042 days and the joy and happiness that she and her family shared. By all accounts, she was exceptional in so many ways. Despite the darkness and despair we all feel today, there will come a time when thoughts of Christina will bring a smile to her family rather than a tear. I hope her family can also take comfort in their beliefs that they will see Christina again in God's own good time. With our religious beliefs and miracle of the human mind which seems to heal itself, we will all be able, in time, to celebrate Christina's life rather than focus on her loss.
Until that day.
What a beautiful flower that was taken away in a brutal way...
Karen Anne - if I could hit the suggest button five times today --- it still would not be enough.
Well said.
30
Karen it has been a tough week for all Arizona's who have lost so many wonderful people - and for the whole country as well. This sweet sweet little girl - she surely is jumping in rain puddles. It makes my heart break for her parents and brother - and the lady that so kindly took her to meet the Congresswoman and acts like her 'grandma'. Sad sad sad.....it's just hard imagine what they'll be going throught for quite some time.
Anna: I had not thought, and maybe did not even know that Christina had a brother. Oh, this must be so awful for him. And... even worse for this "grandmotherly" woman... whom I am sure is a very lovely lady. But... what she must be putting herself through... in that if it weren't for her taking Christina to this event, that Christina would still be alive.
Oh... how horrible. I hope she has a sufficient support system to care for her. I obviously do not know this woman... but if it were me who... being the sweet grandmotherly type... took Christina to see "Democracy in action"... only to have her life end in tragedy... I honestly do not know how I would cope with it.
Karen Anne, she is the same age as my son, Cole, would have been. There is a firetruck playground in Grapevine that the community built in their effort to memorialize and hold together the surviving. That's what we do. We lift up one another until standing on our own isn't such a chore anymore. Every little effort -- like your post and positive energy you sent their way -- is another pinch of salt to preserve and flavor life.
I have cried many tears for her family. For her school mates, for her neighbors, her community, her city, her state, her country, but for her little "face of hope", none. Because I think heaven is shining a little brighter and this beautiful bright girl is having some really great conversations with God.
And I'm not going to "ruin" this post with politics. They have NO place in this post.
Very Well written. A eulogy in fine style. Bravo for pointing to reality.
Karen Anne, I pray that God will give her parents, her family and friends strength to bear the loss. I can't imagine what the kids in her class must be going through.
KarenAnne, a post for Christina was very touching...I remember watching the President talk about all the people that lost their life that day...and could tell that he was thinking about his own daughters....as I am sure everyone else was thinking the same.
Karen, and today her eyes are helping others see. Thank you for speaking so eloquently from the heart.
Hello Karen ... Your words are moving along with the phone of this young life taken from earth ... "Priceless"
Your post has been "Highlighted/ Featured" at ...
EXPRESS WITH WORDS AT ACTIVERAIN
"This ones for you ... Christina where ever you are ...
Karen,
To quote William Shakespeare,
"We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep...
William Shakespeare
Christina's life tugged at your heart and the nations! Her short, sweet life will live on through eternity. Thank you for starting this Blog.
Often times, less is more. Well done, Karen Anne.