EDGEWATER -- My family and I were shocked and very saddened to find out that an adult had killed young children in Newtown Connecticut on Friday. My daughters asked me how someone could bring themselves to do this terrible crime to children?
We pondered together on how could it be possible that any person be so disconnected from the empathy they have for others to commit such a heinous act on anyone, else especially on innocent children?
As I think back on my children in their early elementary school years, I remember being able to still pick them up and curling up in bed with them at story time each night.
During the day I tried to protect them from scrapes by making them wear knee guards and helmets while learning to ride their bicycles.
When I sent them to school, I trusted that they were safe.
One day several years ago I walked a sixth grade daughter to the bus stop. Because I was in a hurry to arrive on time to a new job, I left her there alone before the bus arrived. Feeling guilty for not waiting to see that she was safely on the bus I left the workplace and drove back to ease my mind. She was gone, so I called the school to make sure she had arrived safely. I was so relieved to learn she did.
My husband agreed with me when I took a job substitute teaching, changing my career just to be available when our girls were home. Now I cannot imagine seeing any of my four daughters' safety and sense of security being taken away by someone so far removed from the health and well being of another that he could harm young children.
The pain that the parents and siblings of the victims are enduring is unimaginable to me. My heart and prayers go out to the families and emergency responders and people who live in the area of Newtown, Connecticut.
The pain that the parents and siblings of the victims are enduring is unimaginable to me. My heart and prayers go out to the families and emergency responders and people who live in the area of Newtown, Connecticut.
Last night on Facebook I saw the perspective of a Newtown resident a man named Terry Sagedy, who I grew up with in my neighborhood.
This is what Terry Sagedy wrote: If I could have you looking over my shoulder tonight as I walked thru Newtown to get to the church, you would see a community pulling together and trying to make some sense of this ridiculousness. Showing respect for those we have lost. We will prevail. But first, we will take care of the families who need us most. And, after that, we will find the reasons that will fuel our ability to carry on. God bless Newtown.
I couldn't have said it any better than the way he did in summing up what this small Connecticut town stands for and how the people there will get through this tragedy.
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