Candlelight Vigil in Lowell Sunday Night

Grief. Anger. Empathy. Confusion. Christmas presents that will never be opened.

No one can understand why the horror experienced by the students,  teachers and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary occurred Friday morning. That horror continues for the family and friends of those killed.

Those of us across the country and around the world watching the story unfold are helpless. It is not like a hurricane, flood or fire; we cannot donate money, send clothes or give blood to help make the situation better. The only thing we can do is grieve and let those in Connecticut now we are thinking of them.

Lowell resident Gail Hovey Cassidy has organized a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the massacre. It will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday at Tyler Park off of Westford Street in the city’s Highlands neighborhood. Bring your own candle and extras if you have them.

From Gail:

“I was on my way to do some Christmas shopping (stressing of course) when the news came on the radio. At first it didn’t register, at all. I listened and I froze to be honest. I pulled the car over and strangely in was right in front on a Daycare Center in Chelmsford where a little boy I was “Nanny” for two years was in. I just sat there and stared at the big A B C’s on the building and cried, thinking this horrific tragedy could have been here, or anywhere that our children or grandchildren were brought in the morning to play, to be safe!

I didn’t go shopping, it felt irrelevant. I came home, drove down my street thinking of all the kids that I know and love that are usually out and about playing and thought of the babies and the teacher’s who would never have the opportunity to do so again, never.

I didn’t know what to do so I asked for some spiritual guidance and it just came to me. If we could bring together our friends, neighbors, anyone who was feeling the same for a short amount of time and show our love and support to those who died and their families then we could also find strength from one another. I wish we knew their names and their faces. Sadly, in a matter of time we will and those sweet little angel’s will be the same faces we send off everyday with a hug and kiss and a dream.”