Our grandson Noah Pozner was killed on December 14, 2012, in his first grade classroom at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. Nineteen of his classmates and 6 educators perished with him. He had just turned 6.
We have now lived with his absence twice as long as with his actual presence.
Over the years for a while, I could see him with my mind’s eyes growing and changing along with his sisters and his cousins.
It has become more difficult. Teenagers are harder to figure out.
I can imagine his deep voice and the upswing of his thick dark hair.
His eyes wouldn’t have changed much probably but I wonder if he would still have these extraordinary eyelashes.
He would still adore his two sisters and form with them an invincible trio. That, I know for sure.
He loved sweets, homemade bread and pickles. Would he still?
He was loving and mischievous.
He was a little boy. Our son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin.
And in a split second, he was gone.
Twelve years later, it is still impossible to accept.
I always think of him when I have tacos, which happen often. To me that day changed everything. Life before and after. And the incredibly hard feeling of helplessness and frustration of realizing we made so little progress to prevent gun violence. I will never forget Noah, I know this was particularly relevant to me because I knew you. Because I knew of the tragedy so soon after it happened. Words fail me . But I hope you can read it all. In between the lines.
Merci, Sally! I know. There are no words anyways. But I feel your sadness and your horror.
May God bless you Farine and all those who loved Noah and comfort you in your grief!
He’s a precious child. I have 6 year old grandkids. I’m going to hug them tighter and and appreciate them more this Christmas.
Thank you for sharing,
James
Thank you, James! And yes, please, give your 6 year old grandkids an extra hug for me….♥️
Twelve years can feel so long ago, but, then again, like only yesterday. Little things through the year trigger memories of That horrible time and of sweet Noah. He will always be remembered by me.
Thank you, Jan ❤️
I think of Noah often – for me he is the face of what is wrong with a culture where „holy cows“ are more important than children‘s lives.
If my daughter had not have a last minute change in her shift, she would have been in the movie theater in Aurora/CO, and probably dead.
Big hug, Karin
OMG… Someone I know lost their daughter in Aurora. My dad once missed a flight who later crashed. I always think of these often last minute changes of plans who alter the course of life forever.
Thank you for remembering Noah, Karin. ❤️
Chère Marie Claude ainsi que toute la famille,
Notre cœur saigne pour vous…
Plein d’amour et de tendresse, nous vous envoyons et vous serrons fort dans nos bras.
Nathalie et Pierre
Un très grand merci à vous deux, Pierre et Nathalie. ❤️
I think of you and Noah often, and all of them. My daughter is the same age, she was in 1st grade in 2012. When she started high school, graduated last year, started college this year, I always have a thought for you, your daughter, and the other families who lost precious children that day. I will never forget.
Thank you for remembering Noah, Cecile. And best of everything for your daughter! ❤️
Ever since Noah’s death I think of you and Noah at this time of year more than usual.
I think of you a lot when I cover my head with the scarf you knit and gifted me with every morning when I wake up and sit for awhile in bed reading and meditating. My house is cold but I retain some of sleep’s warmth and it brings comfort as I struggle with my days because of the one shot, a different kind of shot, that stole my daughter’s life from her – although she is still ‘here’ a huge part of her isn’t and my deep, deep gratitude that she is alive is shadowed with the tragedy of her life now as a quadriplegic – able to move only her head.
As with your loss, time does heal in some sense, but not really and people who have never had anything really tragic happen to them simply cannot understand and they fall away. Her once bountiful and full life now vacated except for the few ‘real’ friends she has. So hard to watch your children suffer so needlessly.
My heart goes out to you my bread friend….YES, I still bake. It is one of the things that does keep me going and for that I am grateful!!!
I can’t but feel that my words seem insignificant…I still simply do not know how to express what I feel. I hope you understand – you who are so gifted with words.
A BIG heartfelt HUG to you.
Janet
Thank you for remembering, dear Janet. I am so, so sorry about your daughter. Yes, indeed, we and our families are members of a club nobody should ever have to join. I will write after the holidays as I probably won’t have much time before. Sending you love and fortitude. The holidays are such a difficult time of the year. ♥️
Sending you warmest heartfelt best wishes, Farine. ♥️🌹
Thank you so much, Carol!❤️