Prayers for Newton

I let out an audible gasp, as I read the headlines about last Friday's shooting. I could hardly believe the terror I was reading.

So many beautiful things have been written in response to this tragic event. I do not feel like I have anything profound to add. Yet, these sweet children and their families have been on my mind this past week.

I think of them. I think of the heartache to lose a child.

I don't know what it's like to be a victim of a terrible and evil crime. That is a pain and a trial I hope I never have to face.

Yet I do know what it is like to have your world turned upside down when you learn that your loved one will no longer be a part of your life  . . . or at least not in the way you imagined, because not a day will go by that you don't think of your child. I do know what it's like to have to behold a small casket and have a heart that longs for your child to just be in your arms again.

I am heartbroken for these families --for the families of the children and the adults who were killed last week.

I am grateful to the Parkers for, as hard as it must be, to have taken the time to speak out and allow many of us who are aching with them to hear from them and how they're coping. I am deeply impressed by their ability to not judge and to not harvest anger.

Last night I watched as my first-grade niece read How the Grinch Stole Christmas to her little brother and sister. That could have been her. She could have been one the the innocent children taken from us. I feel like I can't look at these children the same way and I'm sure every parent has hugged and kissed their child a little more since that day.

As my heart continues to ache for these families they continue to be in my prayers, as I am sure they are in many peoples prayers.