Let me tell you about where I am from.

Lately, I've seen a lot of commentary about how people from Newtown dread getting the question, "where are you from?" when they are out and about.  They don't want to see the sorrow in that person's eyes when they hear the answer.  They don't want to see the pity.

Go ahead and ask me where I am from.  I am more than happy to tell you.  Allow me a few minutes of your time to bend your ear about what it means to be from Newtown.  How proud I am to be a lifelong member of a community that banded together under the worst possible circumstances to take care of their own.  That have worked tirelessly to ensure that the people we loved most are never forgotten.  Give me ten minutes of your time to explain how special this community is.  How we are going to be the driving force behind nationwide change.  Because this community has too much spirit to ever give up a fight that will ensure that a tragedy like this will never be again repeated.  Not on our watch.  Not if we have anything to say about it.

Six months have gone by.  Do you think there is one person in this town that doesn't stop what they are doing for a few minutes each day to remember?  We remember.  Every day.  And remembering makes us strong.  Remembering says to the world that we are better than the atrocious acts of one coward.  That one coward will never define us.  We will be defined by our actions after the unthinkable.  By our ability to push through the darkness and find the light again. 

With that said, allow me a moment to show you where I am from.  Let me show you what you are missing out on by not being a part of our community.  Don't pity us, believe in us.  Every one should be as fortunate as we are.  To live side by side the people of this amazing community is a privilege.  It is an absolute honor. 

We Are Newtown.

Race Reflections: Allison Wyatt

On June 2nd, I took to the streets of Monroe, CT to run for miss Allison Wyatt.

I read something the other day that both broke my heart and lifted my spirits.  I read that during the services honoring Allison's life, Rev. Walter L Pittman said to a crowd desperate for solace that, "You are a fortunate group.  At some point over the past six years, Allie Wyatt got in your way and you are better for it."

Truer words have never been spoken. 

Whether we knew you or not, Allie, we are better for having you in our world.  And on the eve of the six month anniversary since you've been gone, you have left behind a town left that will fight every day for the rest of their lives to make sure that we make this world a better place in your honor.  You made us better.  Let us return that favor and make those around us better by our presence in this world.  We owe you that.  If this disaster fixes nothing, we have failed you.  We will have failed all of you.

I see you every day, Allie.  I have a little girl in my life that looks just like you.  Every time I see her, I think of you.  And every time that I think of you, I say a brief hello to you in my mind and hope and pray that you can hear me.  You will never be forgotten.  Your impact in this world will forever be sustained. 

My son loves to draw and paint, just like you.  We have his artworks strung up all over our home.  When I walk into a room and see it up there on the wall, I smile.  I'm not sure how your parents feel about looking through your artwork these days, but I'm certain that it brings on a flood of emotion.  I hope that one day it will bring joy, and only joy, to them once again.  As you intended it.  Because it is a piece of you left behind for all eternity. Something to be treasured.  Something tangible of you and they will need that as they heal. 

Goodness.  This is a hard week.  We could sure use some of that famous Allie humor to get us through.

Love-
Lindsay

Here is miss Allison Wyatt, the 14th angel I have now run for:



Full race album available one the facebook page 26 in 2013 for Sandy Hook

26 in 2013 for Sandy Hook on the Local News

Click the link to view the video:
Newtown Woman Running 26 Races for 26 Victims

How to Donate

I've been told that people are finding it hard to locate the website where donations can be made to the United Way Sandy Hook Support Fund through 26 in 2013 for Sandy Hook.  Here is the direct link to my fundraising page:

http://www.crowdrise.com/26in2013forsandyhook/fundraiser/lindsayknauf/

Thank you all very much for your support!

Lindsay

Race Reflections: Jesse Lewis

On May 19th, I ran the O'Neil's 5k to Benefit the Jesse Lewis Foundation in Norwalk, CT for the amazingly brave Jesse Lewis. 

Jesse was six years old when he died at Sandy Hook.  Six years old.  Want to know what his final act on this planet was?  He was trying to lead other children to safety.  What six year old does that?  When shots rang out, he ran to the hallway to see what he could do to help.  He was six.  I can't get that through my mind.  Adults are one thing.  We are programmed to protect children.  But to have a child act on that instinct is something incredible.  What a strong young man.

The race day for Jesse was a cold and wet one for mid-May.  But heck if you would have known it.  People were out in droves to show their support for the Jesse's family.  Such a beautiful thing to see.  On a day where staying in bed curled up under the blankets watching movies would have been a far superior option, people ventured out to make sure that the Lewis family knew that we would forever stand beside them.  Regardless of the weather.

As I was walking towards O'Neils that morning on my way to sign in, a man at a local bakery popped his head out and asked me where everyone was headed to.  Apparently he noticed all the people out and about that wet morning and realized it was odd.  I told him that O'Neil's was putting on a race that benefited the Jesse Lewis foundation and that Jesse was one of the little boys that passed away on December 14th.  "God bless them."  He had said to me. And followed it up by saying, "What a strong community Newtown is.  We could all learn a thing or two from them about how to treat one another."  I couldn't have said it better myself.

The stories, like Jesse's, of heroism are endless.  The acts of kindness that followed in the wake of this tragedy, are too many to count.  The number of people looking to ensure those lost are never forgotten, are vast.   And I personally have turned a very significant corner.  In the wake of December 14th, if someone asked where I was from, I would hesitate.  I didn't want to see the look in their eyes when I told them that I was from Newtown.  I didn't want to see the pity.  Now?  I jump at the chance to tell you where I am from.  Because I'm working past the grief.  I'm seeing the good instead of the bad.  I am so beyond proud to be able to tell you that I am born and raised in Newtown because we have done everything right from the moment that horrible creature entered one of our beloved schools.  We have so much to be thankful for and our community will forever be impacted in the most positive way because of how we learned to come together and be there for each other through the worst possible scenario.  We are Newtown and we choose love every single day.

Love-
Lindsay

Here is the handsome Jesse Lewis.  The 13th angel that I have now run for.

Full race album available on the facebook page 26 in 2013 for Sandy Hook:



Race Reflections: Lauren Rousseau

Back on May 18th, I ran in Danbury at their "Spring Forward for Sandy Hook" event.  I ran this race for Lauren because the school that was hosting the event was where Lauren had been a regular substitute teacher and her presence was still strong in their walls.  Her loss, a heavy weight on all of their shoulders.  Two things struck me particularly hard that day.  One.  People that work towards good will always out number those that strive to do harm.  Two.  Meeting family members of those that we lost on December 14th is sort of like meeting a celebrity.  Allow me to elaborate on both those points...

Firstly, the overwhelming love and support that radiated through the crowd at this race was beyond moving.  Each of the elementary schools, as well as different organizations through out Danbury, sat stationed, poised and ready at various check points throughout the race.  They were armed with massive signs that preached love, community and above all, unity.  As you ran, you were enveloped in their shouts of love and support.  Children ran out into the road to race a few steps along your side and reach for your hand, even though they you were a total stranger to them.  They passed out water.  They cheered us on.  It was a beautiful reminder that there is so much more good in this world than bad.  And that children are our greatest assets in finding the good in anything.

Secondly, I need to touch upon what it's like to meet family members of those lost.  I met with Lauren's aunt at this race.  The night before the race, my friend Beth had reached out to me to ask if I would like to meet her because she had a mutual connection.  I, of course, said that I would be honored, and ran through some ideas of things that I would like to say to her so that I would be prepared.  I went into race day confident of what I would say when we came face to face.  But as we approached her that afternoon, my mind went blank.  Nothing that I had planned to say felt good enough.  It felt too superficial.  It wasn't enough.  What on Earth do you say to someone that lost so much in the blink of an eye?  I just wanted to hug her and not say anything.  I wanted to cry on her shoulder suddenly.  Grieve along her side.  Lauren isn't mine to mourn.  But I will mourn for her every day.  And saying something like, "I'm so sorry for your loss", just isn't enough anymore.  It's just not enough to be sorry anymore.  This can never happen again.  The only way to find some solace in this terrible thing is to make sure that people take what has happened here in Newtown, and use it to ensure that this never. happens. again.  EVER. 

It is the only way to properly honor those beautiful souls.

Love-
Lindsay

Here is the lovely miss Lauren Rousseau.  The 12th angel I have now run for:

Lauren's very brave and sweet aunt.

Race Reflections: Mary Sherlach

On Mother's Day I ran the "Run Like a Mother" 5k for the incredibly brave Mary Sherlach.  A very sweet benefactor approached me about the race and offered to pay my admittance fee and while I was so grateful for the help in funding my cause, I was even more thankful that this person brought this particular race to my attention.  What better race could I find to honor Mary Sherlach then a race entitled "Run Like a Mother"? 

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the story, on December 14th, when the first shots rang out in the hallways of Sandy Hook elementary school, Mary Sherlach, ran towards the noise.  She did not cower.  She did not hide.  She ran at a derranged gun man with nothing but her bare hands.  Sit here and really take that in.  How easy would it have been for her to duck for cover.  To barracade herself in a closet or office?  What would you have done in that same situation? 

Mary Sherlach was a mother.  But she wasn't just a mother to her own beautiful children.  When she stepped foot into Sandy Hook elementary school, she was a mother to each and every child that took their education from under that roof each and every day.  And like any mother would for their own child if they were in danger, Mary Sherlach ran directly into the line of fire to put herself between those children and the madman who meant to harm them. 

Don't mess with a momma bear.  We will tear you apart and think nothing of it if you try to hurt our cubs.

I am in awe of Mary.  The selflessness.  The instinct to protect.  The complete disregard for her own safety over the well fair of the children that were intrusted in her care.  And while she was not able to overcome the gun man who was ladden with ammunition, she saved countless lives by stalling him, even if just for a few precious moments.  She distracted him long enough for the other teachers in the building to have a warning that something was terribly wrong.  We will never know how many lives she saved that day.  And I am in awe of her strength and her courage.

On Mothers Day, I ran for Mary.  I ran for the woman who ran like a mother to save the most precious people my town has to offer.  She is one of the bravest women that I will never get to meet.  And she will forever be a local hero. 

Mary, your sacrifice will be one of legend for all of time.  Our community will speak your name in reverence and thank you every night in our prayers for all that you did that sad, sad day.  You are a true hero.  May we all show that kind of courage to face evil if ever confronted with it.

Love,
Lindsay

Here is Mary Sherlach.  The 11th angel that I have now run for: