There are some times where something hits so close to home that it stays with you for a long, long time.
Friday felt like that for me. I'm so far removed from anything in Connecticut. I've never been there. I don't know anyone who lives near the travesty.
BUT, it feels so close to home. It feels close to my heart. These darlings were children only slightly older than my own. What happened is the nightmare of any parent who ever existed. I spent Friday holding back tears every time I looked at my daughters who are so sweet, warm and full of life.
We sat that evening cuddling on the couch watching Rudolph, and I lost it. I couldn't stop the tears. How can I be sitting warm and cozy with my beautiful, sweet children while there are very real people spending the same evening with a gaping hole in their hearts that will never be completely healed... looking at their Christmas trees that they may have decorated together with their darlings in such joyful anticipation... canceling their plans to attend lighthearted holiday parties... looking at the gifts they've wrapped for their babies that won't be opened...
There are no words. We try. We try to give our condolences and gift donations and teddies and anything wonderful that we can think will help, but there remains the anguish for those dear people.
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." Romans 12:15
It's what I've been doing. I've done my fair share of weeping with those who are weeping this weekend... my husband can vouch for that. Somehow, I feel like it's all I can do. It's not saying that I understand their pain. It's not saying I somehow relate because I cannot. I can only weep at the loss of sweet lives, and weep for the pain of the brokenhearted. And I pray. I pray for peaceful hearts for those families... that they would be able to move forward... that they would not live in fear. That God would grant them peaceful hearts.
Let's be kind to one another. Let's pay attention to cries for attention, rather than ignore those hurting around us. Problems do not dissipate by blame & discord... people who hurt are helped with attentive love and support. And lots and lots of prayers.
Love,
Kate