I’ve been on the verge of tears most of the day… ever since hearing about the terrible events in Newtown today. I don’t have kids, but I still wanted to run out and protect all I could.
On the way home tonight, seeing the Christmas lights, thinking about those kids who said they just wanted one more Christmas, I thought how we could join together for not only them but in memory of those who were so full of life just this morning but won’t have this Christmas, and not only of them, but of those who are critically ill, who will spend Christmas in the hospital waiting for an organ transplant or another chemo treatment, who with their parents, families and friends are praying for one more Christmas, one more birthday, one more year.
I think of today’s events I recall stories of a night in Bethlehem just over 2000 years ago, when babies and toddlers were torn from their parents’ arms and killed because of the fears and the jealousy of a wicked king.
And I ask, what can I do? I can’t bring those children back. I can’t stop all the violence in the world or protect all children from it. But I can be a bit more patient with kids. I can love each for who they are. I can laugh with them, give them a little extra attention, a little extra love.
I can’t give any child back his or her life, but I can make the lives of the children I come in contact with a little brighter and fill our moments with a little more wonder. Because, after all, the best part of living isn’t the span of our life, but the joy with which we live it, and the wonder we share with others.
No king and no gunman can erase a life truly lived, yet no one can replace a life cut so sadly short.
Newtown families and friends, we are praying for you.
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