Saturday, December 15, 2012

No Words from Newtown

Newtown, CT
Flagpole
 
Photo Taken: 
8 am 
Saturday 
15 December









No words.
I have no words to express for my children. 
I have no words to express to my wife.
I have no words for the media outside my church
I have no words to my mom who visits.
I have no words for family and friends who call.
I have no words to the Newtown kids I coach.
I type "NO WORDS" in my texts.
I stare blankly at people in Starbucks.
I hug friends in town while food shopping.
My Facebook status is blank most of the time.

How do you sleep comfortably?
The town is silent and somber.
Morning comes and the town is silent, still, reflective, in shock.

This is not a regular day.  Tears fill everyone's eyes.
There are no words.  A perfect town became imperfect.


I coached a boy who's eyes sparkled when he smiled. 
He did not need words to show his joy.
He showed me there is joy in baseball. 
He showed me the joy of hitting a baseball for the first time. 
I still picture J.M. running up the first base line smiling from ear to ear.

I spent time with J.M.s parents tonight.
They are special people. He is a special kid.
From one father to another....what do I say?
From one parent to another....what do I do?
From one coach to his kids....what can I teach?
Right now.  I have no words.


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Prayers to all of you from a mother and school psychologist in Texas. It's OK to have no words. I don't have them either. Blessings.

Anonymous said...

I'm proud to know you and to call you my classmate and my friend. "He did not need words to show his joy." ~ Prayers for your community tonight and every night. We're all with you, John. Spellman Strong. ~ Carolyn Polchinski, CSHS '88

Anonymous said...

Let the peace of God rest heavily upon your family, your hearts and your town now, in Jesus name. There are no words to describe acts of evil but when the enemy comes in like a flood, God raises the standard. Be blessed. Melody McFarlane Thelwell, CSHS, Class of 89, and most importantly, mom of 4.

Anonymous said...

Well said Johnny O. Thanks for sharing.
S

Anonymous said...

John thank you for sharing my heart goes out to you and your family. i pray God give you peace and direction during this difficult time. Melissa St. Clare 85

Anonymous said...

This poem is a beautiful way to put 'words' where there are none. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I think u said it all! Beautifully said.

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful. There really are no words at all just disbelief and grief. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families and the town of Newtown.

chinita said...

No one knows what to say to those families who has lost their innocent babies to a selfless sicko. They are all our children. Even though I don't live out there, it hit close to home for me too, being an educator myself and all. We just all need to pray for them and do our part in anyway that we can to help.

Anonymous said...

Johnny... just being there speaks volumes to the person you are. Prayers go out during this most difficult time. - JD

Brian Heston said...

A couple of years ago, I was on my way home from work when I received a call from my mother in law saying that my then 15 month old son was being rushed to the hospital (about a 30 minute drive) by my wife due to an allergic reaction to peanuts. I imagined losing my son that day. So I have a vague frame of reference for how the people of Newtown feel. Luckily, my son survived and is perfectly healthy today. I hope I never have to feel that fear again.

Thank you for sharing,
Brian Heston

Mrs. Higgins said...

For someone who has no words, these were very beautiful words.

Anonymous said...

you never cease to amaze me old friend... I pray for you today and everyday... I remember standing on the stairs at St. Claire's Church on a day in 1988 when you should have been crippled with grief... instead you had the strength of a lion... be strong as always and continue to lead your loved ones as only you can... JSP