Thoughts And Prayers For Newtown, Connecticut!!
Do you all need to talk about the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut?
I could barely sleep last night thinking about it and how much everyone is suffering there and everywhere. What an awful, senseless tragedy. 
Maybe we could use this post as a way to send Newtown, Connecticut our love, thoughts, and prayers. They need us more than ever and will for a long time to come.
Much love to them and all of you as we all grieve and work through this sad, sad tragedy!xxxx
My Grown Up Christmas List
written by David Foster
Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies
Well, I’m all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I’m not a child
But my heart still can dream
So here’s my lifelong wish
My grown up christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up christmas list
As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree
But heaven only knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up christmas list
What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown up christmas list
This is my only life long wish
This is my grown up christmas list
What a lovely poem.
My thoughts and prayers go out to each and everyone that this tragedy may have affected. Words can never describe how difficult losing a child can be. What a senseless cowardly act this was.
We must always remember that not only the victims suffer but also the perpetrators family and extended family are also victims suffering with grief and loss of their own. They live with the guilt that maybe they could have somehow stopped this unspeakable crime.
May God Bless.
Thanks Sandy! +1!!
As a parent myself, I cannot even begin to imagine what those families are going through. You send your children to school taking it for granted that they will come home at the end of the day. My prayers and condolences go to each and every one of them. These days, you hear too much about teachers not caring. Every teacher in that school gave caring a new meaning yesterday. I have no doubt that Newton and Sandy Hook will prevail. It’s going to take a lot from everyone, but for the children’s sake, they will persevere. God Bless all of you.
Thank you Vogue for posting that poignant poem. My own child was killed in an auto accident a few short years ago and I feel like I will never recover. The grief is ever-present and my life as I knew it when he was alive is over. My heart and prayers go out to the grieving parents because I understand their loss. This is a senseless, sickening and horrific tragedy. Thank you mods for allowing us the opportunity to share our feelings about it.
((((((I am so sooo sorry DW!!!!)))))))
The mere mention of this heinous act crushes my soul. Now , instead of being filled with joy and laughter on Christmas, so many homes will be filled with grief and sadness.
Thank you so much for the lovely poem Vogue. It really does encompass the feelings that many will experience this Christmas.
I am very, very sorry for what you’ve had to go through, DW. I haven’t had any children myself, but I have lost a niece, and I know that even though it was painful for me, my brother was absolutely crushed. I hope you can find the strength to look towards the future.
(((DW)))
Horrendous. There’s not much more to say.
I saw a comment on the Internet today which said that if there’s a dry eye in this country right now there’s something wrong. That about sums it up for me too.
Such a heartbreaking thing for those parents and loved ones to go through, and for the loved ones of the teachers lost as well. SN- Kelly Clarkson does a beautiful version of that song by David foster, it was on a Christmas cd by the first American idol cast.
My heart is so sad for all the families there. I cried and have been so sad. My prayers are for you all!
PH thank you for that beautiful poem and the feelings behind it. Newtown CT is going through a horrific time right now and will be for days and weeks to come.
DW I’m so sorry for your loss. I, too, have lost a child, my son. He died on Valentine’s Day 2001 and still I can’t reconcile this loss so I understand exactly how you’re feeling. I cried most of yesterday because now there are 20 sets of parents needing to bury their precious little children. 20 more sets of parents who will mourn this loss for the rest of their lives because you and I both know this grief never leaves us.
Dyann, thank you for telling about the Kelly Clarkson CD. I will look for it.
For all of those in Newtown who have been effected by this hideously heinous act of violence, I pray you find your way to peace. To all of the families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy, I pray for your strength in the days and weeks ahead. For this nation, I pray that we find a way to put God back into our schools and government because leaving Him out hasn’t worked at all.
Thank you9((( Voguerista))) for opening a place to send little drops of healing to the small community in Newton. The senseless slaughter of innocent children could not be predicted by anyone. Our pastor changed his Sunday Message to to The Slaughter of the Innocents by Herod after news of Jesus’ birth. Due to heavy practice for two Christmas concerts I felt like I could not make it to church, but I will go in 2 hours to hear what he has to say to the brokenhearted. Words of some of our songs are continually humming in my head: Leonard Cohen’s COME HEALING, HASHIVE’NU, SHALOM ALECHEIM, and Dance Like David Danced, sing of the roots of my faith. Newton was small, but now enveloped in the wide world of caring. Cursing the supposedly brilliant killer will not bring the little ones back or those who stood up for them.
Derek Hough’s heartfelt exquisite choreography in tribute to fallen soldiers moved me so deeply that now I wish for him to dance this. Also since Maksim Ch opened a dance studio in Stamford which is so close to Newton, I wonder how many connections might be there and if possible a venue for a tribute.
(((((YW and thanks you for all of your healing, peaceful, loving and beautiful messages and posts for Newtown)))))Bless you all!! MM, amen and keep thinking of those songs and singggg your heart out xxxx
NEWTOWN! spelling error Sorry I was rash unthinking.
Grown Up Christmas List http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T16dTIGKFD0
Thank you Vogue, PH, Sara, and Diane K for your kind words. I am so sorry Diane K for your loss as well; yes, the grief never leaves, and the passage of time doesn’t heal, imo, you just get used to living with the pain. I am so sad for those grieving parents whose lives are forever changed. They are in my prayers and thoughts. Thank you mods for giving us a place to share not only how much we love DWTS, but also to give support to the grieving families, and each other. Thank you.
@DW and Diane K – Living with this type of grief is unimaginable. So sorry for your loss.
Still shocked by this senseless and unfortunate event. Never ill understand why someone would ever do that.
Words cant express something so horrid. My son is 4 1/2 and something like this makes me hug him a little tighter. So sorry for your loss @ DW & Diane K
Oh my LORD. Please bless this grieving town and its residents. My heart aches sooooo bad for this tragedy. I just wish i could turn back the hands of time and make this nightmare disappear. I am so sorry to you all. GOD WILL GIVE U STRENGTH.
I pray that GOD will comfort these families in this hard time in coping with this enfathomable evil done. ” And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. “. Revelation 21:4 KJV
A month ago at my daughter’s school there was a massacre-shooting threat. It was just awful, for a few days, when I said good bye to her at the school door, I couldn’t stop thinking – what if this is the last time I see her alive? It was absolutely heartbreaking. I can’t even begin to imagine what the partents in Newtown are going through. Their suffering is just unimaginable. I wish there was something we could do to help, and to make sure this does never happen again.
Vogue thank you for that beautiful poem. DW and Diane K I am so sorry for your loss. I am from CT, not far from Newtown and I have cried buckets and have not even been able to post unil today.
Just this past February my DIL and son who are school teachers in buildings next door to each other went through a school shooting where four students were killed. My son teaches at the elementary school where my grandchildren attend. My DIL at the high school. I live in CT and they live in another state. I heard the news by television. I will never forget the horror I felt watching on the news, looking at the street that I walked my young grandchildren to when I was out visiting them. News was scrambled and at first they thought there were two shooters. They apprehended one and were looking for the other. Both schools were on lock down. I tried reaching my son by phone, but his voice mail was filled with so many trying to reach him. It turns out my DIL was in the cafeteria that morning covering study hall when a student walked into the cafeteria and started firing. He killed four students before fleeing the building. Where they live is a very small town of only 5,000 and everyone knows everyone. I feel I know that town and the people who live there better than I know my own town. My DIL had been threatened by a student who was clearly disturbed and my first thought was the student had tried to harm her as the student left a note on her desk saying she was going to kill her.
Two hours later I finally heard from my son who said everyone was okay. They were safe, but their lives have forever changed. These students who died were current students of my DIL and previously had been students of my son. My son coached some of them in football when they were younger. My granddaughter especially still lives in fear wondering if it will happen again. Will her mommy, daddy, brother and herself get shot when going to school. My DIL had to witness the horror while doing everything she could to keep the students safe. Teachers should not have to do this.
When Newtown happened I was in shock, numb and thought what is going on with this country? Who would ever have thought that being teachers was no longer a safe job? Who ever thought that children going to school would not be safe?
My heart breaks for these families that have to go through what I consider the worst thing ever anyone has to face. These precious angels whose lifes were lost. The families of the adults who so bravely protected the children they loved and the reason they became teachers in the first place. God Bless each and every one of them. I don’t think you ever get over something like this. The loss is with you forever.
I hope you don’t mind, but someone sent me a poem that I would like to share:
Twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“this is heaven.” declared a small boy. “we’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”
“may this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“come now my children, let me show you around.”
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”
Gail, I’m so sorry for what your family and their school has went through too. How awful and sad. I have no words. Kate, how awful too. Daina K, I’m so sorry for your loss as well. I hope and pray so hard this President and our politicians are going to act on this issue now…one they should have done so with a long time ago. This violence has to stop.
Thank you for the beautiful poem too, Gail!!! Amen!! Hugs all!!xxxx
Gail, I read your story with horror that this is happening everywhere. I had heard about that high school shooting, but had no idea it was your DIL who was the teacher in the cafeteria at the time. Thank God it wasn’t the child who threatened her that was the shooter. Apparently the shooter was a troubled kid I guess. It’s incredible that he didn’t shoot her. How horrible that you had to see that on the news. You must have been terrified. I can well imagine that the lives of everyone in both those schools would be changed forever. Once you suffer that kind of trauma, it follows you forever. I hope your loved ones have been able to get some counseling so they can put things into perspective and move forward.
I’m also in CT about 40 minutes from Newtown. I have a second cousin living in that area and my first thought was, are her kids ok? Thank goodness they don’t go to that elementary school, but another not far from there.
As it happened, only hours after the shooting I was listening to the radio while driving to my daughters house, I was listening to Chaz and AJ and a young woman called in asking them to put out word that if anyone knew anything about her sister, to please let her know. Apparently she had been calling since the morning and her sister wasn’t picking up the call. Chaz told her that it was possible that she didn’t have her phone with her when she ran out of the room. She then went on to say that her sister’s name was Rachael and she’d only started working at the school two weeks prior and she was a behavioral therapist. Later, once we found out who the adults were who were killed, I was horrified to realize that the sister this girl was asking about actually was HER SISTER. She was on her way to Newtown when she called. I can’t even imagine hearing that horrifying news. She was so hopeful that her sister was ok when she called in.
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m sure that this current school shooting has brought up many memories that you wanted to forget. I’m sure it was very hard for you to talk about. Thank you also for sharing that beautiful poem. I actually was sent that poem on FB and asked the person who sent it where he got it. He told me it was written by a young American girl (he was from England). It is incredibly beautiful and speaks truly about this horror. It is true. We’ve taken God out of the schools and the government and He deserves to be put back in.
I pray every night for the parents of all 27 dead. Yes, even the shooter because that father is grieving, not only for his ex-wife and son, but for all the other’s his son killed. I’m sure he’s feeling pulled apart over this.
I don’t know what will be done to make people safer wherever we are, but I’m hoping someone can help because I fear for my own kids and grandkids. We just don’t know when we’re in harms way anymore.
These stories are just heartbreaking, every time I read something about this latest shooting, tears come to my eyes. I read an article today that one of the teachers was holding one little boy in her arms during the massacre, and the parents were so grateful that their little boy didn’t die alone.
This really puts everyday life in perspective…. Over the weekend my one grandson broke my favorite Santa, and I was really upset about it, and then I realized very quickly what really is important in life, and it certainly wasn’t my favorite Santa decoration… Being able to spend my Christmas with my Family, Kids, and Grandkids is what is really important. I am so blessed.
((((((Diane and Sandy))))))xxxx
Vogue and Diane thank you so much for your kind words. Diane I remember seeing the picture of a girl with a phone in her hand as she was receiving the news regarding the loss of her sister. I wonder if it was the same girl you mentioned.
Sandy you are so right nothing is more important than being with your family at Christmas or for that matter any time. My husband and I are leaving Saturday to be with my son, DIL, and precious grandchildren to do just that – be with them and hug them tight.
(((To All)))
Gail, yes that was the girl. Absolutely heartbreaking and it turns out the media has said it’s an iconic picture so that will follow her forever. I really think the media is way too invasive these days. That should have been a private moment.
The girl in the picture you guys are talking about is Carlee Soto, sister of victim Victoria Soto. There was a victim name Rachel, though.
I can still barely believe this happened. A whole week has gone by and I just can’t process the whole thing, or put into words the horror and pain that I still feel.
Always, prayers and love to all of the victims and their families.
Same here Violet!! Hugzzzzxxx
Thanks for the correction Violet. I totally thought that girl was the sister of Rachael. I’m glad for the correction, but sorry for all those who are dealing with loss at this time.