A Poem for 20 Grieving Mothers in Newtown

A week has passed since 20 moms lost their precious children in the most horrific end to their short lives.  There was no peace for these children or their parents, no chance to hold them when they were scared or comfort them in their arms when they were taking their last breath.  To add to their pain, they had to leave their sweet babies inside the school for 2 days without being able to see them or hold them after they heard about their death.

A week since these grieving parents held their babies in their arms, rocked them to sleep, helped to brush their teeth or packed their lunches.

A week since they sent them off to school with all the hopes and dreams any mother has for her child.

My heart has been aching but my arms opened wide to welcome these moms into the club in which no parent would want to be a member. I feel their pain as 20 more parents try to find meaning in this time of year, gather strength for their other children and to start their new lives without their child.

The news on the t.v., put me back to the days when I also had to plan the memorial and funeral for Zack... we wanted it to be a reflection of who he was and a celebration of his short, precious life- but I was still numb from the pain of losing him and those days are still a blur.  I know the emptiness they must be feeling after the services are finished, friends have gone and they have to make sense of their lives again.  I also know that their houses will never feel the same without their child, the laughter will never return to its fullest and they will struggle each day to get out of bed in their new "normal". 

We will never forget the day we heard this unspeakable event, and we will never forget those sweet angels of Newtown.  My heart is with those mothers and fathers today, one week later, and forever.

Charlotte Bacon, 2/22/06, female (age 6)
Daniel Barden, 9/25/05, male (age 7)
Olivia Engel, 7/18/06, female (age 6)
Josephine Gay, 12/11/05, female (age 7)
Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 04/04/06, female (age 6)
Dylan Hockley, 03/08/06, male (age 6)
Madeleine F. Hsu, 07/10/06, female (age 6)
Catherine V. Hubbard, 06/08/06, female (age 6)
Chase Kowalski, 10/31/05, male (age 7)
Jesse Lewis, 06/30/06, male (age 6)
James Mattioli, 03/22/06, male (age 6)
Grace McDonnell, 11/04/05, female (age 7)
Emilie Parker, 05/12/06, female (age 6)
Jack Pinto, 05/06/06, male (age 6)
Noah Pozner, 11/20/06, male (age 6)
Caroline Previdi, 09/07/06, female (age 6)
Jessica Rekos, 05/10/06, female (age 6)
Avielle Richman, 10/17/06, female (age 6)
Benjamin Wheeler, 9/12/06, male (age 6)
Allison N. Wyatt, 07/03/06, female (age 6)

A Mother's Tribute to her Child

No words I write could ever say

How sad and empty I feel today

My sweet little child you always will be

The most important part of my heart's memory

The Angels came for you

Much sooner than I planned

I'll brave the bitter grief that comes

And I'll try my best understand

My sweet child, why did you have to go away

Why wasn't it right for you to stay

In my heart you will always be

I know you will be watching over me

What I'm suffering seems so unfair

But one thing is for certain

My love for you will always be there

I'll cherish the moments I held you in my arms

And I'm sure that if you had of stayed longer

You would have graced me with your charms

A thousand words won't bring you back

I know because I've tried

Neither will a thousand tears

I know because I've cried

Now you're up in Heaven

With the Angels up above

They will take my place for now

And they'll give you all their love

So go and rest in peace now

My little child so dear

For all my love and memories

I will hold forever near