"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world." -- Mister Rogers
We can't reach out to hug or to cry alongside the families in who have experienced such loss after today's tragic shootings, but there is something we can do as a community that will hopefully send a message of solidarity in this sad time, say some folks around the Bay Area: turn off your holiday lights tonight.
As the town of Newton, CT will be dark for a long time to come, we can surely spend a few hours without the bright lights of what is normally a joyous season.
And for those whose neighbors may not know about this small sign of support, send them an email, a Facebook message, a tweet, or a phone call and ask them to go dark tonight.
There is growing support for the "lights out" idea across our area, including Assemblyman Rich Gordon who has endorsed the gesture.
Here are some Facebook and Twitter Postings about tonight's "light's out."
"There's not a parent in America today who doesn't feel as I do--overwhelmed by grief" Turn off the holiday lights. #CTshooting #brokenhearts
From Sharron on San Carlos Facebook page: "My cousin posted a very good suggestion. A nationwide blackout of all Christmas lights tonight to show sympathy for those in CT whose holidays & lives have been shattered. Would you be willing to post this idea? So many families in San Carlos have small children. I think a lot of people would be willing to do this. I thought it was a
lovely idea and the least we could do."
What do you think? Will you turn off your lights tonight? Tell us in the comment section below.
