Heal the Brokenhearted and Bind Up Their Wounds

I don't know a person today who has awakened not affected by yesterdays mass shooting in Connecticut. Parent or not, the loss of life of so many children has touched us to the core. All over Facebook are posts about the tragedy, to the point where I personally feel silly posting about anything else. I observed that it's in our acknowledgement of this heinous act that we mourn, honor and will eventually heal.

While watching President Obama's address on the shooting this morning, his dutiful push through the words on paper was overshadowed by the welling up of his heart. I thought of my Dad, who passed away twelve and a half years ago and how he would have responded, how he would have been touched by this craziness. Through a river of my own tears, I watched it twice.

Crimes like these seem to have no respect for the calendar. Surely many of these children were headed for Santa's lap, the movies, or a retail outlet this weekend. It's a reminder of how little we have control over in our lives, no matter how many guns we get off the street. In contrast, just this week my second oldest nephew, Baby Boy announced his engagement! Somehow in the midst of this chaotic massacre, God has showered my family with joy and I must acknowledge that as well.

May God comfort and keep close each and every family who lost a loved one yesterday. And may my nephew George be blessed with happiness for many years to come.