Dear Newtown, Connecticut

"But they were teenagers and older kids, right Mama?" she asked, eyes fixed on mine, not sure what to hope for as the answer.

"No." I somberly answered.  

I didn't want to tell her the victims were first graders.

I didn't want her realize she's the same age as the victims.

"Were they in first grade or something?" was her follow up question, eyes unsure, filled with more fear.

I put my hand on her back so she knew that love surrounds her and I nodded my head up and down, whispering, "yes".

The tension in the kitchen thickened. I kept my cautious eyes on her, watching her process the information, studying her face in an attempt to anticipate what might be next.

"Did he use guns and shoot them all up?"

Those are words I never thought I'd have to hear from my six year old daughter, not at the age of six anyway.

I soften my worried expression and in another whisper, "yes".

She quieted.

I kept rubbing her back, stroking her hair occasionally.

"You okay?" I finally asked. 

She looked up at me and said, "well, let's hope those kids who lived heal".

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Dear Newtown, Connecticut, 

Please know that the lost lives of your community as a result of the mass shooting serves a greater good. I pray you find peace knowing that all bad things sprout bountiful good things.  It's my hope you can see how your story, your life, your struggle has touched my family all the way here in Dallas, Texas.  Your story helps me teach compassion. I'm able to teach that death is a part of life.  She now has heard a more extreme story of good and evil.  Her final statement is affirmation to me AND YOU that good wins. "Hope".

Hope.....

You are loved.

~Jackie & family