In memory of the innocent

        It's monday. A new week. Hannukah just ended, Christmas just around the corner, and the celebration of the new year 2013 follows the week after.  These ought to be festive times.  These ought to be hopeful times. But as I handed the last hannukah night's present to my daughter, I couldn't help but think about the children who were murdered in Newtown, Connecticut. As I stare at my daughter's lit up face, my heart weeps for the parents who are missing this moment, and would miss this moment come Christmas day. Their presents are probably all wrapped up, tucked away where the little ones couldn't peek at them. Olivia, Daniel, Dylan... I wonder what their little hearts desired for this season.
        Sleep little ones, and may your memories turn to blessings.

“In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and, to the young, it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unawares.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

Charlotte Bacon (2/22/06), 6 years old

Daniel Barden (9/25/05), 7 years old

Olivia Engel (7/18/06), 6 years old

Josephine Gay (12/11/05), 7 years old

Ana M. Marquez-Greene (4/4/06), 6 years old

Dylan Hockley (3/8/06), 6 years old

Madeleine F. Hsu (7/10/06), 6 years old

Catherine V. Hubbard (6/8/06), 6 years old

Chase Kowalski (10/31/05), 7 years old

Jesse Lewis (6/30/06), 6 years old

James Mattioli (03/22/06), 6 years old

Grace McDonnell (11/4/05), 7 years old

Emilie Parker (05/12/06), 6 years old

Jack Pinto (05/05/06), 6 years old

Noah Pozner (11/20/06), 6 years old

Caroline Previdi (9/07/06), 6 years old

Jessica Rekos (5/10/06), 6 years old

Avielle Richman (11/17/06) 6 years old

Benjamin Wheeler (09/12/06), 6 years old

Allison N. Wyatt (07/03/06), 6 years old

Lauren Rousseau (June 1982), Staff member, 30 years old,

Rachel Davino (7/17/83), Staff member, 29 years old

Mary Sherlach (2/11/56), Staff member, 56 years old

Victoria Soto (11/04/85), Staff member, 27 years old

Anne Marie Murphy (7/25/60), Staff member, 52 years old

Dawn Hochsprung (6/28/65), Principal, 47 years old

Nancy Lanza, 52 years old

Source: USA Today