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First off...thanks to ALL, our PG family, for your heart-felt comments and expressions of love and concern for the Newtown community. Needless to say, it has been a very trying few days for the residents here in Newtown, but also for the entire country and world as there is no possible way to grasp how anyone could commit such an unthinkable act of violence regardless of where one resides in this world. To put things in perspective...on a smaller scale regarding the number of lives lost...but surely the same horrific, unthinkable, uncomprehensible emotions involved...this has been a sort of 9/11 all over again for the residents of Newtown. Our hearts are broken. The presence of the media has run its course and it seems their presence is beginning to lessen as the week progresses. This is a good thing...it was more than time for their exit. The main focus should be first on the healing of the families who have experienced the loss of their loved ones, tragically, most of them little, innocent children. Second, the healing of this community as a whole which will be a long and painful road ahead for all involved. No doubt there needs to be changes in gun laws, but also in the way those with such severe mental illness are treated both medically and in every day society. Knowing many residents of this town personally, I can assure you all that we will do all we possibly can to help perpetuate such changes. There are no words or imagery to describe the series of events that have taken place this week...surely one can imagine. Please do not measure this town by recent events. Newtown is a very quiet, quaint, peaceful, loving, caring New England community filled with natural beauty and American history. (Thanks for your comment about this Cimber). There are many historical buildings/homes which date back as far as the 1700's. Most of all it houses loving people/families who have chosen to reside in this town for these very reasons, plus some, including an honorable school system and a safe environment for their children. What happened here this past Friday shocked not only the residents, but the entire country/world. We are all still in a state of shock. Again...thank you all for your very comforting thoughts/comments and loving support. We, Newtown, WILL eventually get to the other side of this horrific tragedy hopefully sooner than later and come out on the other side stronger than ever. Yes, LR and thanks...life is so very fragile. In the blink of an eye...in a split second...it can all change. Let's all hope circumstances change for the better looking ahead to the future for the entire world. Peace and love to you all. We're holding the line in Newtown... Mak

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/12/20/167713372/newtown-shootings-inspire-26-acts-of-kindness-campaign?ft=1&f=1001 Newtown Shootings Inspire '26 Acts Of Kindness' Campaign The idea is simple: Do "26 acts of kindness" — one for each of the 20 children and six adults killed last Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Stories and photos are coming in to the "26 Acts of Kindness" Facebook page. Enlarge image Stories and photos are coming in to the "26 Acts of Kindness" Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/26actsofkindnessInMemoryOfSandyHookVictims Since NBC News' Ann Curry tweeted that idea earlier this week, it's taken off. Thousands have tweeted back to her about things they've done. — Donating trees. — Delivering meals. — Anonymously leaving money for a co-worker who's struggling. — Helping a stranger who's short on cash in the check-out line. — Donating frequent flier miles to Make A Wish. You get the idea. There's a 26 Acts of Kindness page on Facebook. It's had more than 31,500 "likes." And there are variations on the theme: "20 acts" to focus on the children; "27 acts" to include gunman Adam Lanza's mother, Nancy, who police say he killed before the attack on the school. Curry writes to those who've joined up: "All good. You are in charge of this wave now." We'd be glad to hear in the comments thread about things you've done.

If I may be so bold, I dedicate this song to the victims of this and other similar families that have had to be directly effected by such senseless violence. Especially those recently at a time of year where happy memories should be created, not those of pain and loss. Written by Joni Mitchell, sung by Sarah McLachlan. http://youtu.be/5ZTFzBUj1-0

Ahemmm...Zen...not a Sarah McLachlan/Joni cover tune link...just thought I'd let you know. Would have done so sooner but haven't been online here much lately. Think I know which link you meant to post but may you be our guide. Thanks Zenrider!

Whups, how'd that get there? Thanks MAK. Yes, this is the one I meant: http://youtu.be/Nns5lHjsXGk

From Amnesty USA http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=6645049&aid=519143