Everyone once, once only. Just once and no more.
And we also once. Never again. But this having been
once, although only once, to have been of the earth,
seems irrevocable.
—Rainer Maria Rilke
For 20 children and 6 adults in an elementary school in Newtown, CT, “Once” has proven to be shockingly short. Peace be with them and their families.
Sources: Image – amorecheiro. Quote: A Poet Reflects.
Live & Learn 
I cannot even begin to understand why people do these things. What horrible pain to the parents who lost their children today and the trauma to those who remain. May the Lord grant them peace and strength particularly during this holiday season.
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Yes Maria. Frightening. Shocking. Nauseating. So far beyond sad and beyond words.
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It’s a sad thing to contemplate why our society is increasingly sick in this way.
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And beyond contemplation.
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😦
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The whole world is sad for what happened today!!!
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Cannot for the life of me comprehend how someone could assess his options and conclude that, “Yes, mowing down a bunch of innocent young school children is the best course of action.” Such a heavy heart this evening for the many families who are mourning such an unspeakable loss this evening…
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Yes Lori. Not comprehensible.
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So terrible – no words.
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Yes. I was moved by your post JM.
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Unspeakable horror. There are no words. I watched CNN for 20 minutes and couldn’t stop crying. My prayers for all the families and everyone else who is touched by this tragedy.
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Yes it is LaDona.
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My heart is so heavy tonight. Don’t ask why. There will never be a good enough answer.
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Just don’t get it. Prayers to all.
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I woke up with the same ache in my heart with which I closed yesterday. The randomness of ‘once’, the arbitrary, frightening side of timing, life and the unaswerable ‘why’..Thank you for posting this.
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Thank you Mimi. Yes. Saturday mornings are for workout posts and workouts. I can’t bring myself to get off the couch. And can’t shake yesterday.
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I get it.
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Most deplorable for what happened to-day.
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A beautiful poem to share – thanks. I will continue to say it, we need more poets. Again, thanks for sharing. Tough days.
– Michael
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Thank you Michael.
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This is shocking – no words – sadness… Your citation of R.M.Rilke is awesome. Thank you for sharing – I have been off this weekend and did not hear about it before. 😦
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Thank you Zazu. Rilke’s quote was new to me as well. Loved it.
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