In the wake Friday’s tragic incident in Newtown, CT like many I’m struggling to comprehend why and how. Those are two questions that may never be answered.
Thirteen years ago the unthinkable happened in my hometown when a deranged gunman walked into a youth gathering at a local church . Like in Newtown a place of safety became a place of terror. Promising young lives cut short. Families, friends and a community must pick up the pieces. I have no words only a heart that is heavy.
During one of darkest periods in our country’s Henry W. Longfellow penned the following:
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
The Dee Zone 