Adventures in Attachment Parenting: We Need A Little Christmas by Allison Silver
Like many of you I have been watching the news of the terrible tragedy in Connecticut for the past week. I have read the various articles including numerous postings on Facebook and Twitter regarding tougher gun control and the need for better mental health services. And while these are important conversations, the one story that struck a chord with me was the news headline that Newtown businesses were canceling Christmas.
According to the brief snippet that I saw on the news, several area businesses were taking down their Christmas decorations because they felt bad celebrating Christmas. They felt guilty and were taking down their decorations, in essence canceling Christmas.
I can’t even imagine the heartbreak that these families and the entire community are feeling. In fact, my heart broke and I felt physically ill when I heard about the terrible tragedy. Not only did it affect me as a former early childhood teacher, but also now as a parent. All I wanted to do was hold my baby close and never let her go. But for some reason the idea that they were canceling Christmas just brought tears to my eyes.
I’m not sure about you, but Christmas to me is more than just commercialism and Santa Claus, it’s the spirit of Christmas which is so important. Regardless of your religious beliefs, it should be a time full of joy and more importantly hope! I think joy and hope is what the citizens of Newtown need right now. In fact, by canceling Christmas it almost sends the message that evil has won and we are declaring that we are hopeless. Although this community certainly has the right to grieve, nothing good ever comes out of being hopeless.
As I am writing this I can’t help but think of that Christmas song, “We Need A Little Christmas.” Have you ever read the lyrics to that song? Let me share them with you. I think they are extremely fitting.
Lyrics to We Need A Little Christmas :
Haul out the holly
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again
Fill up the stocking
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
Candles in the window
Carols at the spinet
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute
It hasn’t snowed a single flurry
But Santa, dear, we’re in a hurry
So climb down the chimney
Turn on the brightest string of light I’ve ever seen
Slice up the fruitcake
It’s time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough
For I’ve grown a little leaner
Grown a little colder
Grown a little sadder
Grown a little older
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder
Need a little Christmas now
For we need a little music
Need a little laughter
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter
And we need a little snappy
“Happy ever after”
Need a little Christmas now
After reading these lyrics I think we all could use a little Christmas right now. I know it must seem hopeless right now, but please Newtown don’t cancel Christmas. I know your hearts are heavy but instead of one angel, you have at least twenty sitting on your shoulders. And I know those little angels would not want you to cancel Christmas.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could give the community of Newtown some hope and joy this holiday season? One of my personal joys during this holiday season is giving to others and lo and behold I found a few ways to provide Newtown with some hope and maybe a little joy. Here are some ideas on how we can all help.
The United Way has set up the Sandy Hook School Support Fund.
Check donations may be mailed to:
Sandy Hook School Support Fund c/o Newtown Savings Bank 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470
You can also drop off a donation at any Newtown Savings Bank branch location, or you can donate by credit card online.
Newtown Youth and Family Services
Newtown Youth & Family Services, Inc., a nonprofit mental health clinic, will be open this weekend from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide emergency counseling to families, community members or staff. All donations made to the organization will benefit those affected.
Newtown Parent Connection
The Newtown Parent Connection, a nonprofit that addresses issues of substance abuse, also offers bereavement group counseling and will to try to bring in additional counselors to accommodate the needs of those affected by the shooting.
New York Times “Your Money” Columnist Ron Lieber posted the following suggestion on his Facebook page this morning:
Buy the community of Newtown, CT some breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can call King’s Breakfast & Lunch at 203-426-6881 or call My Place Pizza at 203-270-7061. I told them to send pizzas and give meals to whoever needs it. I just called Kings and they were unbelievably grateful. Or look on YELP.
During this holiday season I hope that we can all provide some hope to others and show the world that goodwill toward men and the spirit of Christmas is alive in all of us.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Tags: Allison Silver, Christmas, grief, helping others, Newtown, tragedy
