Forever Young

Christina-Taylor Green wanted to meet one of her heroes. For a 9 year-old child being interested in politics was certainly very rare indeed. Oh, Christina loved other things. Besides politics, she was enamored with dancing [ ballet was her specialty], music, gymnastics, family, and sports. Not only watching sports, but, she was the only girl on her Little League team! Perhaps, you can trace it to her family heritage. Her grandfather is named Dallas Green. He is a legendary man in baseball, with guiding the Philadelphia Phillies to a World Series win in 1980, and, most impossibly, as General Manager, brought the Chicago Cubs to a playoff spot in 1984. So, Christina felt the pangs of baseball, and all its glory, that ran through her family bloodline. But, on this fine day in January 2011, with the sun shining brightly in Tuscon, Arizone, her primary thought was meeting a politician she admired, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Christina wanted to talk to Ms. Giffords about a recent oil spin. Even at her tender age, she was very concerned about the environment, which was something many adults in the world were apparently not. Christina joyfully went to a local shopping mall to meet Gabby Giffords. But, the talk never happened...... Charlotte Brown, age 6, was descrbed by all that knew her as sweet, outgoing, loved her family, and full of energy. She also possessed a mass of beautiful red curls that announced her arrival before she uttered a word. At her tender age, she was not sure she liked school, but, she loved her friends and playing with them. You can picture her running around at recess, joyfully loving her youth and freedom of expression. She had that 6 year-old spunk of pure innocence running through her system. She was looking forward to the school break for Christmas because, of course, the Great Man Himself, Santa Claus, would be arriving with his gifts for her. As every child knows, when you are good Santa rewards you with his charms. No need to mention what would happen if you were bad because Charlotte never was bad. And, neither was another girl roaming the hallways at the same school Charlotte went to. This girl was older, much older. She checked in at the adult age of 7. Grace McDonnell shared the same traits as Charlotte, with the love of family, friends, and a great ball of energy. Grace had an angel's golden hair instead of the bright red of Charlotte's. She already broke hearts with her smile. This child could charm and be all loving. She had a brother she doted on and was happy with school. But, the beach held her fondest thoughts. The ocean called to her heart and warmed her soul. Winter had to be rough for her because the beach on the east coast was too brutal to attend to during these months. But, there was always the thought of the nicer weather just around the corner in a few months. In the meantime, there were the thoughts of being a painter when she grew up to keep her warm. And, the Christmas holiday, always the best time for a child, was coming up. So, as the days approached to this most wonderful of times , Charlotte Brown and Grace McDonnell, proud students of Sandy Hook Elementary School, were in the best of moods. But, they never saw Christmas...... Martin Richard, age 8, was wise beyond his years. The reason was his sign. It was simple and heartfelt, as all messages are from little angels. His message called for world peace. At 8, he must have been stumped that the big world out there, with the adults like his parents, could not agree on how to be more caring and loving of each other. His family sure displayed the love. They were all close, Mom, Dad, Martin, and his little sister, Jane. And, so was the neighborhood in Ashmont. Every weekend there would be barbecues and fine get-togethers. The kids in the area would shout, scream, and play with abandon. Then of course, you could eat the food that every family provided. It was like the old days, Martin heard, where families in the community all knew each other and watched out for the kids. Love sprinkled with good times. It was in this spirit that Martin last year made his peace sign. Most likely, he was channeling the good feelings of his neighborhood and sending them out to that bigger world where people were not so nice to each other. A picture was taken for posterity. Now, his Dad was interested in running. It wasn't an obsession. More like a fun hobby. Martin loved his Dad, so, naturally, whatever Dad liked Martin liked. Plus, at his age, he had already formed the foundation of family love. Therefore, when Dad ran the Boston Marathon, Martin, his Mom, and little sister had to be there. After Dad would finish this achievement, there might even be a neighborhood celebration. But, Martin never got to celebrate....... Four innocent children gone. Four innocent children who will never see their families again. Four innocent children who will never grow up and do all of the things they should do. Four innocent children who, had they lived, might have solved the problems of the world and brought, as Martin hoped for, peace. Four innocent children who are now in a better world where they will not have to suffer the foolishness and horror that this world brought on them and their families...... I hope that in this world, where children run free and unafraid, Christina is hitting a ball. I hope Charlotte is tossing her red curls. I hope Grace is on an endless beach that she can paint. And, I hope Martin is experiencing his peace.......