Tragedy.

It's simply heartbreaking. An elementary school being attacked by an armed gunman. Victims being elementary aged, as well as the adults who worked at the school. For no reason. And if there was a reason, we will never know. But really, would there ever be a "reason" that would justify this cruel, horrific act?

The media coverage here has been basic. It hasn't been plastered all over the tv and newspapers. It has been mentioned, but nothing like I can only imagine it has been in the States. I honestly see most of my information from Facebook through news sighs More and more stories are coming out and being made public. The teacher who hid her students in the closet and was killed... but saved their precious lives. The little girl who played dead and because of that she is the only survivor of her ENTIRE class. I read a news article about her today that brought me to tears on my lunch break from the New York times (or some reputable source) that she came out, covered in blood, reassured her mom that she "played dead. But all my friends are dead". It brings me to tears even typing this now.

I don't have children yet, so I don't know just HOW intense the love a mother has for her child first hand. I do have nieces and nephews that I love so very dearly and the thought of them being hurt crushes me, much less something tragic occurring to them. I can't imagine how the parents of all these kids feel.

I'm not forgetting the adults that were killed. I'm not saying that is ok. It's just so hard for me to wrap my head around someone doing something like this to children. And so close to Christmas. I can't imagine being a parent, aunt, grandparent, or any other family member or friend. In the next few weeks, thinking of all the small caskets that will be displayed on the news as these young souls are laid to rest. It's just too much to imagine. It does make you wonder what the world is coming to. People talk about the end of times every time something tragic happens. And it does seem to be getting worse and worse. Just when you think you've heard it all, something breaks in with a news update and catches our attention, and rocks our world, shakes our faith. It just makes me sick to my stomach. I find myself avoiding reading articles regarding it because it causes me to tear up. It makes me angry and sad and scared all at the same time.

My heart and prayers are with the families that have been affected, not just now, but in the future. As they approach holidays without their little ones. As they never know what might have been..what their little girls and boys would have grown up to do. Taken too early and well beyond their time. It's just tragic.

RIP little angels.