Last Friday, when I was on Facebook at one point, my heart stopped.
I read a post about the school shooting in Conneticut.
I started checking the news reports online. (I stopped watching the news on TV years ago. I don't want the kids to see the ugly and bad glorified in our home).
After reading three separate breaking news reports, I shut my laptop and wept.
20 kids. 6 adults. Merciful God.
By this time, Theresa had gotten up from her nap, and I had to get Joshua from school. I held her tight, breathing in the sweet scent of her baby-fine hair. Marveling that she was safe in my arms, while 26 families's lives would never be the same again.
I decided I would try harder over the next few days not to let things get to me. Theresa is honestly driving me a bit batty these days. She loves to empty out the tupperware drawer, the cereal in the pantry, climb up on the kitchen table and throw down all the napkins...dump out an entire bag of legos, and pull ornaments off the Christmas tree.
But that's really not all that awful is it? I am sure there are 20 familes in Conneticut who would give anything to see their child's face again, to happily let them dig in the dirt in the backyard, run around with a bubble wand, eat too many cookies, or sing their favorite Christmas carol.
It has been a somber few days here...even though we are thousands of miles away from Newton. The grief in my heart has been a constant steady ache, even though life must, and always does, go on.
Dear Jesus, please hold these precious souls and their families in your comforting arms, and bring them peace. Amen.
