Today another tragedy shook our nation as innocent children lost their lives in an act of senseless violence.  I can’t begin to imagine the grief that dozens of mothers are feeling tonight, but I understand a little bit better than I could a year ago.  My first reaction to the news left me reeling with distress for these children and their families, but my second impulse was to grab my baby and hold him near me.  Fortunately my work day made this possible.

This year our Athletic Director signed the athletic staff up as bell ringers for the local rescue mission.  We each took a two-hour shift with a partner outside the doors at the local Walmart.  Brinn brought Ian up to stand with Marilyn and I during our shift this afternoon.

You can’t see Ian’s shirt that well, but he’s wearing his TTU Golden Eagles shirt that my cousin Kristine got him before she moved to Knoxville.  Ian enjoyed chewing on the bell more than ringing it, but he certainly had a good time garbaling to the generous shoppers who wanted to support the local mission.

After two-hour of bell ringing, I came home with my beautiful little boy to spend a comfortable evening with my family.  While Brinn wraps Christmas presents, I type, and Ian sleeps, other parents mourn the loss of their children.  There are not enough words to express the level of my gratitude tonight.