I listened to firecrackers going off in my neighborhood last night. For so many the news was cause for celebration. They were celebrating our freedom - a 4th of July celebration that had been put on hold by the horror of last week. I, too found myself smiling 'til I remembered those in our town who had lost their loved ones. There could be no celebration for them so soon.

The families of those who gave their lives for our country did one day find solace from their personal grief believing in the cause for which they died. There will be no such solace for the families who lost their loved ones here and we hurt for them. This hurt binds our hearts together and they become our family, their sorrow becomes our sorrow.

Hand in hand may we find a way to carry on knowing God will not leave any of us comfortless. God bless these families and God bless our town as together we survive this tragedy.

Deb Garlock