I woke up with a start this morning.  My heart was pounding, my eyes wide open, I was halfway to the door before I realized I was awake.  All I knew is I had to get to my children. My children who are home safe, asleep in their beds, here with me.  My heart is absolutely broken for the parents in Newtown, CT.

As a military wife and mom, I am not Obama’s strongest supporter, but as I watched him on the news yesterday, struggling to hold his composure, for the first time I cried. I had been glued to my screen, stilled into stunned silence. Our President brought it into my heart where that pain now lies like a brick.  A physical, heavy pain.

Today I read the articles and interviews coming out of Newtown.  Each one broke my heart a little more as I could hear the pain resonating in my head. I finally had to stop when I got to this:

One student claimed to know karate. “It’s OK. I’ll lead the way out,” the student said.  

This is exactly what Dane would’ve said.  And it brought it all the way home for me.  The incredible, terrible loss.  I do not have words enough.

I ask all of you to join me in a moment of prayer, or silence, and remember all those lives lost.  I pray for strength and endurance for the families and friends.  I pray for peace and understanding for us all.

Amen.