Today We Grieve With Families We Never Met

When the sun came up in a small community in Connecticut this morning, the roaring silence was deafening in too many homes.  Little voices that were there yesterday weren't asking for breakfast or cartoons.  Tiny feet could not be heard innocently running around. No, today a new reality has set in for parents who, just yesterday morning, kissed their little ones goodbye for the very last time....

When the news became clear and we learned that 27 people, including 20 of our most innocent, had died in a senseless act of violence I, like you, was in a state of disbelief. How could this happen.  Why?  Of course, there is never going to be a good answer to this question.  Only more questions.  The biggest one being, how does life go on for these families when the unthinkable....the unimaginable....the unspeakable has shaken them to the very core and taken away, with no warning, the treasures they held most dear.

As I sat with my little 3 1/2-year-old grandson, Evan, yesterday, I suddenly appreciated the innocence of his little soul all the more.  As I held him close (somewhat against his will), I wondered what goes through little minds who don't understand the evils of this world.  I wonder what awful things went through those little minds as they heard loud noises and saw their friends being assaulted.

I beg you today, hold your children close to you...tell them over and over again you love them.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, I pray that none of those parents didn't kiss their little one goodbye yesterday morning.  I pray that not one of them regrets any anger or frustration they may have had when they put their child on the bus for the very last time.  It will be just one more pain in an already aching heart.

My dear mom use to say something that, although not necessarily applicable here, is a good rule to live by given the fragility of life.  She said, "don't let the sun go down on your anger," because you truly never know when will be the last time you see someone you love.