Thursday, I meander, minutiae. Is it difficult to make time, create, scribble a few words? Moments squandered, brushed off - senselessly postponed for another time. Complacent? Lazy? Too many tomorrows? ...Not for all.

Friday, 12/14, An Impossible Horror Has Struck

I live a short distance from Newtown. Difficult to keep life in perspective – imbalance is heavy. A weekend of pain, sorrow, tears without warning - today began genuine melancholy - not artistic angst we sometimes massage to suit creative dilemma – but a true feeling of purposelessness.

Wearily ensnared – The memorial for those taken at Sandy Hook had me. Powerful, heartfelt emotions pouring from within people of unwavering strength - faith, speaking fluently where pain weakens this lesser man – numb while words of condolence, scripture of hope - songs of prayer found pain. Absolute love and belief in peace from Christian, Muslim, Jew, those without deity beyond the undeniable love in their being – all joined in painful harmony, caring for their neighbors – true purity of goodness is everywhere.

Upon our return from Newtown, 12/17, tired and spent, no worry for work, I found my camera. A sense of shame, necessity and conflict, I put into memory the face of my friend as she stared into her thoughts after a painful day. I don’t know why.

I did not take a single frame while in Newtown but those in my mind are forever stored in my heart.

Hope will light the path of peace when dim – love will heal the broken. With reluctance and confusion, I write this narrative, submit a capture. The pain in a heart you never knew – linked through love - grieving yet touched by our visit, the beautiful diversity of our neighbors.

Today, need for expression, hugs, real and warm, smiles, tears, hand-shakes and first names; a community of many sharing one beautiful heart, 26 delicate memories. Cherish all, waste no more, from this pain the world must know; change and peace awaits in one faithful hug.