a comforting poem

 I'm sure most of you have seen things floating around facebook about the Connecticut shooting. I've seen so many things that touched my heart in remembrance of those lives lost but this poem really stuck out to me and I thought I'd share. It was written by someone I don't know so I don't really know who to give the credit to other then the name of the person. A woman named Cameo Smith.

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Since becoming a mother I've become 100 times more emotional than I was before motherhood. I find myself crying during movies, stories and even my own experiences more often than I used to. I found out about this tragic school shooting while I was working. My husband called me 3 times trying to get a hold of me and when I finally answered he explained what had happened. I couldn't even wrap my head around it. He didn't want me to be alone thru all the sudden waves of emotion coming over me so we met up for lunch and I balled. Just picturing how scarred those little babies must have been. Thinking about those parents receiving that horrific phone call. I can't even put into words how I feel towards those families involved. But then I start thinking about where those little babies are right now and it brings a feeling of peace to me. To know that they are with our Savior in Heaven being well taken care of. Being happy. It's going to be a challenge when it comes time for me to teach my son about death. But the most important thing I can teach him at that moment is about Heaven and how glorious it'll be to be back there. I keep trying to think of ways I can help all those families involved and I realized the only thing I can do is pray. Pray for peace and comfort. Pray for forgiveness and love. And to do my absolute best at keeping God at the center of my home and mine and my families lives.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

-Phillippians 4:13