“Twenty-six,” Bones said after we’d had our discussion. “Wow, that’s a big number!”
“Yes it is, twenty-six is a big number,” I echoed as the three of us sat there. Realizing the enormity of it.
Twenty-six. The number of students and teachers lost at Sandy Hook Elementary last Friday.
I’ve continued to watch the news. One precious face after the next before me as tears spring to the surface. I let my mind wander…the horror… it’s baffling. Heartbreaking. Too big to comprehend.
Bones and Spiderman have asked multiple questions…both of them discussing the tragedy in their classrooms with their teachers. Everything seeming so far away yet shockingly close.
While reading through twitter I discovered one of the Mom Bloggers, in a group I follow, lost her nephew.
A name I can’t forget.
Noah.
Twenty-six names that can’t be forgotten.
Ann Curry, of NBC News, came up with an idea and after talking with the kids about it, we’re committing to the 26 Acts of Kindness campaign. Over the holidays, we’ll do 26 random things…random moments where we can offer a helping hand…one for each person lost.
In the process, we’ll try make a small difference. And learn a few valuable lessons as we go.
Follow Ann Curry’s campaign on twitter with the hashtag #26Acts. Join me and my kids by committing to random acts of kindness. Add your comments below and let us know what you’re doing for, Charlotte, Daniel, Rachel, Olivia, Josephine, Ana, Dylan, Dawn, Madeline, Catherine, Chase, Jesse, Allison, James, Grace, Anne Marie, Emilie, Jack, Caroline, Jessica, Avielle, Lauren, Mary, Victoria, Benjamin and Noah.
Twenty-six names. That won’t be forgotten.
I shared that article with my Healthy Living class and we talked about some of the things we do or can do to show people kindness daily. It was so nice to hear of some of the things my students and their families do to help others. I figured if they all did one thing, and I did several we could easily achieve 26 acts of kindness over the holidays:)