Hold Them a Little Tighter

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The heaviness of Friday's tragic event has weighed heavily on my mind and heart, and continues to do so. I pray and weep for those mothers and fathers who can't hold their babies tonight. This weekend I definitely got in more hugs, snuggles, and kisses from my little boys. I can't imagine any of my babies being ripped from this world in such a horrific way. I think of those unopened Christmas presents under a brightly lit tree, begging to be unwrapped and played with by someone who is no longer here with us.

How scared those little ones must have been. How all they wanted in those last few minutes, was to be embraced by their mothers, to have them hold them tight and tell them it would be all right. To kiss away the hurt their little bodies had to endure. And how those mothers now must feel that they weren't able to do so.

Admittedly, I have been somewhat of an emotional mess the last few days. This breaks my heart. The taking of the most innocent of lives. As much hurt as this has caused for all of us, I am so grateful for the knowledge and peace of the gospel. The peace of knowing that these little angels are being embraced by their Savior. That this is not the end of their sweet spirits. The hope of the resurrection and the Atonement. 

 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death (Mosiah 16:8-9) 

And the power of forgiveness for someone who must have not been in the right mind to commit such a horrendous act.

And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Eph. 4:32)

I will continue to hold my little guys a little tighter. To soak them in more, to have more patience. To realize we don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I will make the most of today. Their time and lives with us are precious. Let's make the most of it.