Dear Newtown...

This morning, like millions of other parents, I sent my daughter off to elementary school. I won’t lie and say it was easy. I won’t lie and say you weren’t in my thoughts. I won’t lie and say I didn’t waiver when my daughter asked to stay home on this rainy Monday. I won’t lie and say I didn’t tear up on the drive to school. I won’t lie and say my heart didn’t skip a beat when we pulled up and saw police officers outside of the school. I won’t lie and say I didn’t see the tension in the faces of the other parents or of the school employees. I won’t lie and say I didn’t hug her a little tighter than usual as we said our goodbyes. I won’t lie and say I didn’t sob on the drive back home.

I won’t lie and say that the community of Newtown hasn’t been constantly in my thoughts and prayers since Friday.

But, I will say that I truly believe that the light always shines after the darkest hour. The evil that shattered our fragile faith in humanity is also the thing that restores it. Through this tragedy, we have seen the unbelievable outpouring of love, compassion and the need to help our fellow human beings. Across the country, and the world, people are reaching out to envelop Newtown in love and compassion.

This is where I put my faith- in the goodness of humanity. Not in the evil of the darkest hour.

With that faith, I entrusted my daughter, like many other parents, to the safekeeping of amazing, loving and compassionate teachers and school administrators knowing that they too, like those in Newtown, will protect our children like they are their own.

I can’t comprehend exactly what you have been through, Newtown, but I can share your tears and stand with you.

With love and compassion,

Wendy Vincent

East Haddam