19 fourth-grade children. 2 teachers. All murdered in their school by an 18-year old. My heart aches. I can't imagine how any family gets through this. A friend of mine said, "If one of those were my children, I would be broken into a thousand pieces." It's true. I don't know how they're going to be able to
heal from this horrific tragedy.
How do you heal a broken heart? In this case, honestly, I wouldn't even dream I had a clue. This is going to take every bit of strength, courage, and faith these parents, family members, friends, fellow students and educators, and police officers have.
For those of us on the outside of this devastation, for any heartbreak we have in our lives, here are some coping mechanisms to help us get through:
1. Allow yourself time to grieve. No matter what the circumstances, every person deserves time to feel their emotions. Feeling sad, angry, confused, or any other range of emotions is part of the healing journey.
2. Do what you have to do to take care of yourself. Most heartbreaks take a toll on us physically. We tend not to take care of ourselves when we're going through heartbreak. Yet, this is prime time for us to get sick (we don't eat properly, we don't stay hydrated, we try to do way more than
our bodies can handle, we don't take our medications, etc.) You need your physical and emotional strength. Performing self-care (taking a shower, washing your hair, getting dressed, getting enough sleep, etc.) are all ways we can help ourselves get through, as well as have the strength to help others.
3. Go outdoors. Staying inside, pulling down the shades, and crawling into bed is okay for a day or two. But doing so for longer can easily draw us even deeper into the black hole. Try to get outside. Breathe in the fresh air. Feel the sunshine on your face. Go for a walk. No matter how
dark things are, keep yourself in the light.
4. Find a support system. Accept help and support from your loved ones when they offer it. It may provide a dose of comfort in your time of need. Join a support group who have people going through something similar. In addition, know that sometimes all the support from friends and family, or
self-care you're taking, is not enough. Sometimes seeing a professional is the only way for you to heal from your heartache.
Hug your loved ones today. Call family and friends who don't live nearby. Tell them how much you love and appreciate them. Give a heartfelt smile to whoever you see today...in the supermarket, in the bank, or in the library.
In a world that sometimes feels so dark, always strive to be a shining light.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5)
