Tragedy

     Once again we as a nation are dealing with a senseless tragedy with some wacko taking the lives of multiple individuals for some twisted reason only they know.  What makes this one so heinous is that it is a crime against children.  I know that millions of people feel the same way about this awful event and I just wanted to join in the chorus echoing what we all feel.
     The worst thing a parent can go through is the loss of a child.  We as parents are not supposed to out live our children and when we lose a child it colors our very being for the rest of our lives.  No one who has not gone through such a tragedy can ever understand that sense of loss and heartache.  No words can console, no agency, organization can ever erase the pain a parent can experience in the course of this loss.  About the only thing those of us who have been lucky enough to never go through it can do is offer a shoulder, an empathy, a set of arms to support them, hold them, be there for them to vent throughout the grieving.
     Politicians will debate the merits and demerits of gun control, mental health care and the access to schools from the outside world.  But, in my opinion, even though all those subjects need attention, you will never be able to stop a crazy person from getting into a place and wreaking havoc.  Nor do we want to turn our schools into armed camps as some cities have already done.  We can discuss this tragedy over and over again and nothing we do will bring those children back.  What we can do is reflect how lucky we are that we have our children, grandchildren and those that are our future that live around us and thank who and whatever we believe in that it never happens to us.
    Like President Obama, my heart is broken and like those parents and the rest of the nation I will never be the same.  In my own small way I will carry the images of this tragedy in my heart forever.  How can you not.