My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who are affected by the tragedy in Newtown, CT today.  There is nothing I can say or do to take away the pain or make sense of this horrific event.  What I can do is pray.  We are called to feel the pain of others, to share their burdens with them.  When I heard this on the news today, I immediately thought of my own children and my beautiful granddaughter. 

I tried to put myself in the place of all of those who got the calls this morning that something was amiss, in the place of the teachers and the children who witnessed this firsthand and the first responders who had to see this and probably knew some of the victims.

I want to continue to cry over this, I welcome the ache in my heart.  I want it to hurt and to feel the disgust for such a mindless, senseless tragedy and I want to have the overwhelming compassion that brings tears to my eyes.  We should.  It’s the least we can do.  Our prayers must be heartfelt and we must continue to lift these folks up, not just today, but for as long as we will.

Tell the ones you love how much they mean to you.  Hug them, kiss them, squeeze them.