This blog post is really an open invitation to all those who wish to honor the children of Newtown, who wish to join with others in our community for our kids and for positive change.

On Christmas Eve at noon, hundreds of us will come together and join hands to form a large “community circle” on the grounds of the Washington Monument. And we’ll sing. Like the imaginary town of “Whoville” in the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, let’s demonstrate that even in the face of adversity our spirits will prevail and our voices will be heard loud and clear. We’ll sing for those lost in the tragic event in Connecticut, and we'll lift our voices for meaningful reform to prevent any more such tragedies. We'll sing to celebrate and protect our nation's children and each other.

In the wake of the horrific tragedy that took place recently at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, we felt deeply saddened and helpless. As the mother of two elementary school children, my first instinct was to hunker down and keep my children home, shielded from the world. And then, one morning I woke up, turned on the Christmas tree lights, and saw my childhood copy of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas…and I had a moment of clarity. We are stronger when we come together…and like every Who down in Whoville, we should circle up, join hands and sing.

Why? Because we Americans are at our best when we come together; when we work as a community for a common good. We know we are stronger when we stand together.

All are welcome—singers of all abilities, the tall and the small. Many of us are bringing our kids. If you like, please bring a gift card or a book for a needy kid - we'll give them to local charities like A Wider Circle. Or, bring a homemade snowflake to send to Newtown to decorate the new school the children will return to in January (this effort is being coordinated by the National PTA).

So please join us, and if you can come, please rsvp at this link so we have a ballpark number for the Park Service: https://www.facebook.com/events/180893475386174/.

Hope to see you there, Circling Up for Kids!