My son is sleeping. He knows nothing of the sorrow from the past few days. Not so lucky are the surviving students of Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Tonight they are in my heart.

Their families are in my heart.

Those dead are in my heart. And their families. Especially them.

Tomorrow, many of us will send our young children back to elementary school with a heavy heart. It is one more difficult letting go in a series of difficult lettings go.

All that we can do is trust in the goodness of humanity and rejoice in our simple gifts. All we can do is to focus on that which matters most to us, whatever it may be.

 We can look upon our neighbors with empathy. We can treat each child as we would our own.

We can also take one small step ahead and hope that that step leaves a footprint large enough for others to step into and follow.

Step ahead, friends. Step ahead.

Simple Gifts Lyrics

Joseph Brackett

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free
‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain’d,
To bow and to bend we shan’t be asham’d,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come ’round right.