In my real job, for the last two weeks, I’ve sat down at my computer and written a variety of things. Things that are funny, silly, holiday-esque, and jovial.

For this blog, there was a draft of The Christmas Form Letter which I promised to you. That isn’t lost on me. I had it semi-finished–pending one last proof before hitting the “Schedule” button.

But over the last few days, I just can’t bring myself to send it. To finish it. To proof it. It just seems too trivial, too silly, and inappropriate for this holiday season of 2012.

We all know why. We’ve been overwhelmed with news about a little American town named Newtown, Connecticut. Even the name of the town is ironic to me, as the words “New” “town” and “Connect” are part of its given name.

I’m not personally connected to this town. I’d never heard it’s name until this unspeakable tragedy occurred. Plus, I don’t have children, so to feel such pain as a non-parent is a weight on my shoulders that can only feel compounded 100% to those of you with children of your own.

It’s undoubtedly going to be in the news for weeks to come, and the main question in many of our minds is, simply, WHY? How can anyone be so fractured of mind and spirit to look into an angel’s eyes and kill them? Psychologists will try to make sense of it. The Parents will try to come to terms with it, eventually (if that’s even possible), and parents not directly affected will hug their children a little tighter this year than they normally would. Families will pray. People will take stock of their real blessings and think about what’s important in Life (and it isn’t that toy at the mall).

There are many unsung heroes we have yet to hear about. There are also many unsung heroes out there who’ve dealt with these tragedies in the past–whether it was with one precious child, a group of precious children, or adults who’ve been cut down at the height of their lives to ensure the future of a child who may not have had one save their sacrifice.

To our human minds, this is a senseless tragedy that is compounded by this time of year. No one could foresee such heartbreaking misfortune.

Normally, this time of year we celebrate with family, friends, and even strangers on the street and in shopping malls. We offer help to those in need, and we feel grateful and count our many blessings. We also fight with relatives, make fun of Christmas form letters, turn into Road Rage Randi, and even drink a little too much at the office holiday Christmas party. I’m just as guilty as the next person.

This year, all those things seem so foolish–a waste of our precious time here on Earth.

All we can do is try to make the world a better place, and support those heroes who are too devastated to care they’re heroes: the parents, teachers, responders, family, friends, and fellow students.

And listen for the newest Angels to be heard on High.