To Live in Such Times

Quote of the Day

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Yesterday, December 14, 2012, a psychotic 24 yr. old man, broke into an elementary school in Connecticut, then shot and killed 20 children, and six adults. The majority of the children were kindergartners.  The shock and horror of what he did is still unbelievable. To realize that 20 beautiful defenseless children were mowed down like scene from a disturbing video game is not only frightening, but terrifying.  The coward gunman apparently committed suicide after perhaps finally realizing what he did. My heart goes out to the parents of those beloved children and I hugged my own just a little bit harder and closer last night,  grateful that they not only did not know about this incident, but also that they have not experienced such a hateful and horrible thing. I do not, and will not ever understand why these things happen. What I do know though, is that we must teach our children to love and respect everyone, to treat them well, no matter who they are. The motive for this senseless crime is not clear at the moment, but what is known, is that the type of person that did this had hate built up in him, a hate and perhaps hopelessness that drove him and took over. We cannot change what has happened, but we can make sure that those that we love the most know it. We can make sure that we live each day to the fullest, and that we don’t give up.