"May God In His Heaven Give His Angels Charge Over Thee"

"The Rose" - as sung (and written?) by Bette Midler

"Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,
An endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,
And you its only seed.

It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
Who cannot seem to give,
And the soul afraid of dyin'
That never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose."
     *This song was sung at my sister's wedding and also brought my family great comfort when she passed away from leukemia a few years ago.  I hope and pray it may do the same for some of the people who lost loved ones in the needless, senseless, horrific events of this past Friday in Sandy Hook CT.  The last four lines have always touched me more than any of the others.

CHILDREN
Charlotte Bacon, born 2/22/06, female (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Daniel Barden, born 9/25/05, male (age 7) - died 12/14/12
Olivia Engel, born 7/18/06, female (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Josephine Gay, born 12/11/05, female (age 7) - died 12/14/12
Ana M. Marquez-Greene, born 04/04/06, female (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Dylan Hockley, born 03/08/06, male (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Madeleine F. Hsu, born 07/10/06, female (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Catherine V. Hubbard, born 06/08/06, female (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Chase Kowalski, born 10/31/05, male (age 7) - died 12/14/12
Jesse Lewis, born 06/30/06, male (age 6) - died 12/14/12
James Mattioli, born 03/22/06, male (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Grace McDonnell, born 11/04/05, female (age 7) - died 12/14/12
Emilie Parker, born 05/12/06, female (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Jack Pinto, born 05/06/06, male (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Noah Pozner, born 11/20/06, male (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Caroline Previdi, born 09/07/06, female (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Jessica Rekos, born 05/10/06, female (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Avielle Richman, born 10/17/06, female (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Benjamin Wheeler, born 9/12/06, male (age 6) - died 12/14/12
Allison N. Wyatt, born 07/03/06, female (age 6) - died 12/14/12

ADULTS
Rachel Davino, born 7/17/83, female (age 29) - died 12/14/12
Dawn Hochsprung, born 06/28/65, female (age 47) - died 12/14/12
Anne Marie Murphy, born 07/25/60, female (age 52) - died 12/14/12
Lauren Russeau, born 1982, female (age 29) - died 12/14/12
Mary Sherlach, born 02/11/56, female (age 56) - died 12/14/12
Victoria Soto, born 11/04/85, female (age 27) - died 12/14/12

Donations for the families and the school can be made at the following places:

Newtown Youth and Family Services
(203)426-8103
15 Berkshire Rd.
Sandy Hook, CT 06482
     They (Newtown Y&FS) would prefer donations to be made via the United Way site set up in conjunction with the Newtown Savings Bank or through the Caroline's Gift fund, only because the money will get to the families more rapidly because these funds are already in place; up and running.  However, any and all donations made for the families of victims of the school shootings sent directly to the office of Youth and Family Services will eventually find its way to the families.

Caroline's Gift
     This fund is administered through the Newtown Youth and Family Services office.  Further information is available on their website at:  http://newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org

United Way of Western Connecticut:
mail donations to: Sandy Hook School Support Fund
                           c/o Newtown Savings Bank
                           39 Main Street
                           Newtown, CT 06470

You can also donate by credit card online at: http://newtown/uwwesternct.org

Newtown Parent Connection
1-203-270-1600
http://www.newtownparentconnection.org
     This group says all donations will go directly to the families of shooting victims and others directly affected by the shootings.  They can accept donations via Paypal or any major credit card on their website.  Call the number listed above for further information.



 For those wishing to donate their time and talent rather than, or in addition to, money, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection can be reached at 1-800-203-1234.
     Be aware that this number is also the direct line for people seeking help as well as those attempting to volunteer.  You will want to choose option #3 in order to speak directly to someone who can get you on the volunteer list.  This list of names and qualifications will be forwarded to another department involved in recovery efforts for those affected by the shootings and people will be contacted on an "as needed" basis.