Mourning Children and Heroes
Like many, last week I was happily enjoying my time getting ready for the holidays until late Friday evening, December 14, 2012, when my husband asked if I had heard of the horrible tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. I spent the majority of that day feeling under the weather and disconnected from the world. I heard vaguely of a shooting that had taken place but I wasn’t aware of any of the details.
Later that night, when I learned of the horrific loss of innocent children and heroic educators, I cried as I read the news. I knew none of the victims personally, but I didn’t need to. I mourn just as many others in our nation and across the world who are trying to make sense of such senseless violence. We mourn for those who lost their lives, for the families and friends of the children and educators who passed, as well as for the survivors who must find a way to heal and overcome the fear and horror of having experienced something so nightmarish.
As a mother of a young child, an aunt to little children and youth, and a friend to several great educators, I feel tremendous loss and sorrow. I feel great loss for all those who senselessly lost their lives, great loss for living in a society where unimaginable horrors are reality. Like many, I feel helpless, and wonder what, if anything, we could do to help those affected in Newtown. We mourn with you, and hope and pray you will one day find solace, and children will once again feel safe….
* * * * * * * *
