“A glooming peace this morning with it brings;

The sun, for sorrow,will not show his head:”

- Shakespeare

As everyone knows by now, last week a lone gunman entered a school in Connecticut and cut down the lives of 20 young children and six staff members. Sandy Hook Elementary and it’s community was devastated in a manner we hope none of us will ever have to experience first hand.

We know Sandy Hook Elementary. We have visited there many times with our school shows. Our performers have stood in front of those children and seen their smiling faces, heard their excited laughter.

Today, we take a moment simply to remember those children and those teachers, and to honor them.

Every day we work with kids. And every day we work with principals and with teachers. They are among the finest people on Earth. Last week several gave their lives defending the children who had been put in their charge. This was not part of their job description when they signed on as educators. And yet.

We find ourselves wondering if we would have that courage in a similar situation.

Teachers as heroes.

Not such an uncommon thought, but seldom expected in quite this way.

It is a sad, sad day, a black day ... but one made a little brighter by the memory of the sacrifice of those women who gave their lives protecting those kids.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of Newtown, Connecticut.

Nothing can soothe these wounds.

In this season, normally so filled with Joy, we fervently hope for the passage of time to swiftly pass for those affected, and to gently wash clean the broken hearts and unimaginable horror faced by those who were left behind.