Love for and from Newtown

Today is January 14th – the one month anniversary of Newtown’s darkest day.  In one way it’s hard to believe it’s already been one month, and on the other hand, I can’t believe it’s only been a month.

This morning, my sweet companion Fiona (my Cairne Terrier pup) and I decided to jump in the car and go for a drive.  You see, for the past month I stuck to my direct routes when running errands – never taking time to drive around and take in any memorial.  It was too hard.  And as far as Sandy Hook center, the last time I had been through there was on the morning of December 14th – in my car waiting for the light to change, as Newtown police cars raced by in front of me. Since then I only ventured in that direction once, at Christmastime when my Mom was visiting, so we could see for ourselves the world’s unbelievable outpouring of love.  It was much too congested and snowy for my 80+ year old Mom to walk around, so we drove by the huge Sandy Hook Christmas tree that was the foundation for what had become a wall of offerings. This sight was so overwhelming that all we could do was burst into tears and keep on driving.

Today, my drive through Sandy Hook Center was a whole different experience.  The memorials, the press, the crowds are gone.  But the world’s kindness continues to pour onto this village, and all of Newtown, every single day through different means; for example, a collection of 26 oversized copper stars were installed onto the roof of the local firehouse last week – to delicious homemade pies made with love.  As well as ribbons – lots and lots of beautifully tied green and white bows.  I was comforted to see that this quiet little village was trying so hard to get back to some kind of normal.

At one of the busiest intersections in town is The Pleasance, a peaceful spot and beautifully kept small park donated to the people of Newtown from our hometown newspaper, The Newtown Bee, and was home to one of the profound makeshift memorials last month.  This intersection leads to the most direct route home for me, so having to stop at the light many, many times – I thought that maybe our last stop should be here.  So as we strolled through the park, Fiona and I discovered the sweetest little treasures – remnants left behind from the memorials.  Valentines to the children from a caring couple from New Hampshire, and angels of different sizes and materials.  And under a big old Maple tree, amongst the roots – a little vignette of tiny mis-matched angel’s wings that surely was proof that angels had been there.

I hope you will continue to pray for our angels and their families.  I will.  Thank you for your prayers, loving thoughts, kind gifts and donations to my beloved Newtown. We will never forget your amazing generosity of spirit and love.

With love, Nora