Normally, this blog writes itself. This morning, however, the words have not come easy.  Does writing about FMLA leave relating to the Newtown tragedy really matter?

Indeed, I’ve rewritten this post about 5 different times.  What can we say that will comfort those? What can we do to help those? Are we helpless to respond?

Yesterday, I heard from a friend whose kids go to Sandy Hook Elementary that the teachers will need the traditional beginning of the year school supplies as they move to a new location for the remainder of the year.   (Normally, teachers do this on their own.) So, my wife and I began a small personal collection of gift cards that we can hopefully give to teachers on Wednesday to help ease the transition.  (If you’d like to help, feel free to e-mail me at dschwartz@pullcom.com). 

But it still doesn’t seem enough.  

So I open this blog up to you. There are subscribers and readers from around the world and there are many worthy efforts to share.   Please add your suggestions on how to help. You can add a link to a local charity to share with others, or just post words of support for those who might be affected by this.

I was moved by the President’s words last night and, regardless of our politics, I hope we can take them to heart:

And you must know that whatever measure of comfort we can provide, we will provide. Whatever portion of sadness that we can share with you to ease this heavy load, we will gladly bear it. Newtown, you are not alone.