Area firefighters visit a memorial to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims outside the school's entrance .

 

           The end of the year approaches. The Mayans predicted that Friday, December 21, 2012, was the End Time. Metaphorically, “The End of Innocence,” that Don Henley sings about in his 1989 ballad, rings true.

            Christmas cards arriving in the mail, children sitting on Santa’s lap and tidings of joy and goodwill sent or spoken at this time of year prove ironic in the light of the Sandy Hook Elementary school massacre. Media images and sound bites produced a groundswell of support for the victims’ families and for their small town, but shocked national and international communities, and sparked a fierce debate about gun control. Ratings greedy media showing the faces of innocent school children being led out of their elementary school by teachers and first responders angered the public.

           A political divide, unlike any other I have seen in my lifetime, unhinged the populace. On social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, people posted comments supporting or attacking our second amendment right to bear arms, and mankind’s established religious beliefs about a merciful, punishing, or non-existent God.

           Tragedies like this help us to put things in perspective. A sense of normalcy will return, but, in the meantime, we realize that we cannot take things for granted. We live in a changing world. Our lives are ephemeral.

            

             In a religious context, the term, “Felix Culpa,” from the writings of St. Augustine, refers to the fall of man, describing how a series of unfortunate events will eventually lead to a happier outcome. On a secular note, we say, “Life is short,” . . . “Live life to the fullest,” . . . “Treasure every day” because these words resonate and remind us to hug our children, reconnect with loved ones, and recognize our mortality.