Bedtime Giggles

The girls were being silly before bedtime tonight. Really silly.

They were ignoring my "brush your teeth" hollers as I finished cleaning up from dinner. My 5 minute warnings went unheeded, so I was not surprised when I went upstairs a few minutes later to find two giggly girls, teeth unbrushed, both in one bed with wild hair repeating everything I said and turning it into a song. Very silly girls.

Trying not to get upset as I glanced at the clock and saw the time ticking away further and further from bedtime, I reminded them how tired they would be in the morning and that they needed to brush their teeth. NOW.

I was actually secretly happy they were getting along so well as lately they seem to be getting on each other's nerves.

The giggling eventually subsided (after LOUD mommy came out) and as my youngest hopped off and headed to the bathroom, she proudly showed me the sign she made for her sister hanging on the wall above her bed. Using the mini white board with blue, red, black and pink markers, she had written I love you and colored in a heart, leaving a hole to show "wen you had a hol in your hart". I instantly hugged her.

After a quick bedtime story (I mean really, how could I deny one after that sign?), prayers and goodnight kisses, I headed downstairs to begin lunches for tomorrow. By the time I was done, I was ready to sit down.

Grabbing the calendar which hangs on our refrigerator door to update it, I remembered what day it was today. I had read the articles this morning and saw pictures online, but hadn't really focused on the date. I cannot believe a month has passed since 26 innocent children and adults left this world so tragically.

I continue to say an extra prayer each night for those angels and the families they left behind. My heart hurts when I think of the parents who see a school bus and know their little one is not on it, or for the sisters and brothers who will have to remember what their sibling's laugh sounds like. For the grandparent who will never see their grandchild laughing, and singing, and for the friends they left behind.

The tragedy at Sandy Hook reminds us how very fragile life is. That kindness matters and that we need to live each day to the fullest. As I listened to Nelba Mrquez-Geeene, whose 6 year old daughter, Ana, was one of the children killed, speak at a news conference tonight, I was amazed at her strength and composure.

She and other victims joined with members of a group called Sandy Hook Promise, which is looking for ways to honor those killed by making communities safer. They are hoping that Newtown will be remembered for change, "as the turning point, when we brought our community, and communities across the nation, together and set a real course for change," said Tom Bittman, one of the founders of Sandy Hook Promise.

This is a promise to honor the lives lost and to promise to do everything you can to encourage and support solutions that make the community and nation safer from similar acts of violence.

To sign the Sandy Hook Promise visit http://www.sandyhookpromise.org.

I think if we truly want to see a change, this is a vital step in the right direction.

Life is fragile, giggles are important and sometimes letting your little ones stay up past bedtime to be silly is what really matters.