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You are here: Home / Gun violence / Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day

Heart-shaped galette

Today is Valentine’s Day. A difficult day for survivors since the Parkland shooting. I don’t know if the murderer picked the day because of its symbolism. But it sure hurts to be celebrating the ones you love on the anniversary of the day when so many lost theirs. Valentine’s Day will never be the same because of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas massacre.

As a grandmother who lost a grandson in the Sandy Hook shooting ten days before Christmas six years ago, I know only too well how painful holidays are for the bereaved, year after year.

Today I am torn between being profoundly happy and grateful for my loved ones and profoundly depressed at the thought of the ones who were taken from us.

Consider this. Since Parkland a year ago, there has been 1125 gun deaths of kids in America.

To all survivors I will say this: we grieve with you. Every day. And we long for the ones who will never come back. It takes a very long time to accept the fact that they won’t. I don’t think I have yet. Sometimes I think a grief so profound can only be a nightmare from which one cannot fail to wake.

And to the rest of you, please read this letter that was sent to the New York Times today. I wish I had written it.

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Related

February 14, 2019 · Filed Under: Gun violence · 5 Comments

« Six years ago today…
Seven years »

Comments

  1. JanetH says

    February 15, 2019 at 1:11 am

    MC,
    Another poignant reminder of how, as a society, we so utterly fail to protect our children and what does that say about our culture today….not to mention all the children we loose to drug overdoses, abuse at the hands of adults, neglect….the list goes on and on and on. Overwhelming, distressing and utterly disturbing. For those trying to work within the system, as I once did as a mental health worker until it became too much for me – watching kids slip through the cracks while the all mighty dollar takes precedence is a daily occurrence…
    My personal bend on this is that love isn’t a sentiment, it is something that takes action yet how? I don’t even know how to answer that question after all of these years of trying to do my best to stem the tide…..
    Thanks for continuing to remind us of the fragility of life and our responsibility to continue to do all we can to be aware members of our own communities.
    Take Care,
    JanetH

    Reply
    • Melina Kelson says

      March 16, 2019 at 10:41 am

      MC,

      Thank you for sharing your grieving process with honesty and heart. I think of you, Noah, and your family often. This violence is so senseless, and our country has been negligient in its legal and social response..

      Listening to the TAL story of the bravery of your daughter and son-in-law, I’m just disgusted that these worst elements of our society would prey on the grieving. It’s just disgusting and it makes me feel furious and terribly sad for our culture and, frankly, humanity.

      I take solace in knowing that most Americans are not so easily manipulated and that profound cultural change is slow, but will come. I’m sure this is small comfort to someone being irrationally targeted at their vulnerable moments.

      With care, concern, and respect,

      Melina

      Reply
      • mc.farine says

        March 16, 2019 at 12:57 pm

        Thank you, Melina. It means a lot that you remember…

        Reply
  2. Isabella says

    September 26, 2021 at 3:46 am

    Dear MC, I honestly know, your intention for this post was not (only) to share the picture of the cake, but I must say, it really looks great, and it can give me some inspiration. I would wish to get the recipe…
    Best wishes
    Isabella

    Reply
    • mc.farine says

      December 15, 2021 at 2:06 pm

      Dear Isabella, sorry to be so late answering. I just saw your comment. I didn’t follow a recipe for this galette, just used whatever I had on hand, i.e. frozen cherries from Trader Joe’s and whatever scrap of dough I found in the freezer. The red stuff on the top is crushed freeze-dried raspberries (also from Trader Joe’s). There seems to be Demerara sugar on the outer crust. I hope this helps!

      Reply

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My name is MC: formerly a translator,  now a serious home baker and a blogger. If you like real bread and love to meet other bakers, you are in the right place. Come on in...

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