The darkness cannot put out the light...

This precious girl 
is in kindergarten.
6 years old.

She didn't go to school on Friday

because she wasn't feeling well.

If she would have gone to school

I'm sure I would have rushed

over after hearing the news

of the school shooting in Connecticut

and taken her out of school.

But I didn't have to.

She was already here.

I was able 

To hug her.

To kiss her.

To see that twinkle

in her eye as she tells me,

"I wipe your kisses off, Winda."

Because now she likes to

call me by my first name.

This sweet girl was sick too.

 

 She usually likes to run around

and be free.

She doesn't like to be held 

unless she is super tired.

Friday she wanted to be held.

She wanted to be snuggled.

And that was good because 

I really needed that.

To soak in her sweetness

as she rested her head 

against mine. 

This beautiful girl 

is one of my best friends.

 She is loyal beyond belief

and incredibly protective.

She loves her family.

She loves her baby sisters.

It wasn't a surprise to hear

the phone ring when the school

day ended on Friday.

She needed to talk to her family.

She needed to hear the voices

of her little sisters.

This awesome young man and
his wife are across the country.

 He called on Friday too.
We didn't get to talk
until Saturday.  
We talked about our sorrow 
and how our hearts feel like 
they are breaking 
for the families in
Connecticut.  
One of his latest Facebook
posts reflects his heart.
I am including part 
of it here.
"We need to love more, 
pray harder, and invest 
more time in a community. 
My heart simply aches 
for the tragedy of this day. 
Be well brothers and sisters 
and remember 
'The light shines into the darkness,
 and the darkness cannot overcome it.'
 Have hope. "

I will see them in
three days.
I can't wait.

It is the holiday season.
A time for family, for laughter,
for sharing, for hugs, 
for love.
A time when our family
celebrates the birth
  of our Savior.

Life carries on.
For us...
But not for some.

I will have all of
my kids home for Christmas.
I break down and cry because
those families will not
be together for Christmas.
I cannot imagine their grief.
Their pain. 

I would be lying if I
said I didn't feel guilty.

For being happy.  
For being able to
attend Christmas parties
with my family.
For being able
to hug my babies.

 Because they can't.
My heart aches
for them.

I cannot change this.
I cannot fix it.

But I can pray.

And I will.

 

 I can love.

And I will.

I can forgive.

And I will. 

 I can appreciate the

little things.

And I will.

I will not take my

blessings for granted.

And I will pray

for everyone affected

by this unimaginable
tragic event.

The darkness cannot
put out the light. 

Edited:

For me, it's hard to go on 
with normal life without feeling guilty 
because I know others 
will never be able 
to do that again. 
Of course we have to go on
 with our lives 
but let's not stay the same as we were. 

 Let's love more, give more, 
pray more, forgive more. 
Let's honor the memories 
of those lost in the tragedy 
at Sandy Hook Elementary 
by letting our lights shine 
in the darkness. 

We cannot let the darkness prevail.