tiny scrolls

On Saturday, the names of those lost in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy were released. As soon as I saw it, I posted this on my Facebook page.

The post received a huge response, but one of the first and the most inspiring came from my friend of more than three decades, Nancy Jones. Nancy is the mother of 7-year-old Zada. Here is what she said:

“The names have now been posted. The ages as well … many around Zada’s age. Zada and I will write all the names on paper and cut each one out and put each inside a little clear crystal ball ornament, so we shall always remember them.”

I responded:

“I plan to do the same thing! Thank you, sweet Nancy, for a wonderful and beautiful idea and a way to remember. xoxo”

So I went to work typing out each name. Green ink for the adults. Blue for the little boys. And pink for the little girls. I printed them wirelessly but had to wait for Dave to return from the office to go upstairs to retrieve them for me. I was anxious for those couple of hours, wishing I could get up those damn stairs myself. I wanted, I felt as though I needed, to do this now!

Once I finally had them in hand, I cut out each one and rolled them into little scrolls that I then wrapped and knotted with the same color baker’s twine.

I meticulously rolled and wrapped an adult, then a boy, then a girl. Each name was more heartbreaking than the last. It took so long to do this. So very much longer than it took for a sick mind to take their innocent lives.

I kept going in that order; adult, little boy, little girl. Until, this is what was left when I got down to the last adult, Victoria Soto.

Beautiful Victoria, just 2 years older than my Marissa. If you haven’t already read about her heroics that fateful day and how she offered up her own young life while protecting the precious lives of her first-graders … unimaginable and amazing bravery and selflessness.

Our tree won’t be decorated until the 23rd when Marissa gets home. Until then, this is the only ornament, the only thing, gracing it. When I walk past, I am filled with heartbreak. But it is a heartbreak I need, we all need, to feel. I vow to hang it on every Christmas tree from this year until the last three of my lifetime.

Today, Nancy put up her ornament photos. I would like to share them with you.

God bless these angels.