"...you know we've got to find a way, to bring some understanding here today."

I've lost count of the number of times I sat down at my computer and attempted to write a post to help sort the thoughts in my head about the tragedy that occurred last Friday. It's so difficult to articulate, to make any kind of sense of what happened.

My heart aches, and simply put, I am sad.

I'm sad for those precious, defenseless babies who had their entire lives ahead of them. I'm sad for their families, whose lives are shattered, and never thought when they sent their children to school with an "I love you" and a kiss, it would be their last. I'm sad for those 6 heroic adults who put their own lives at risk in order to protect the students of Sandy Hook Elementary. I'm sad for a mother who may have thought she was doing everything she could for her son. I'm sad for a community that will never be the same.

I'm sad for our country.  That laws created over 200 years ago clearly cannot hold up in today's society.  We insist on having these rights, but I'm certain our founding fathers didn't think men would be shooting up schools with assault weapons. I'm sad for the stigma against mental illness, because so many are not getting the help they need and deserve.

It's been just 5 days since the monstrosity occurred, and we are already hearing of children bringing guns to school out of fear for their safety. Sales of guns and bullet-proof backpacks have skyrocketed since last Friday.

Where do we draw the line? What next? Changes need to be made. Drastic changes. A balance of preserving our rights as Americans, yet keeping each other safe has to be found.

I just hope it happens before the next senseless tragedy rocks our world.

If we have learned one thing, it's that the only absolute in life is death. Each day is a blessing. So kiss your loved ones, make sure they know what they mean to you. Don't go to bed angry. You can never say 'I love you' enough.

Pray for those 20 beautiful children and the 6 brave women who lost their lives. Pray for a mother who thought she was doing right by her son. Pray they are at peace. Pray for their families. Pray for the first responders. Pray for the community of Newtown.

Pray for our country.