Editor, Gazette-Journal:

The following is a letter to the parents and families of the murdered students and faculty of Sandy Hook Elementary:

I know that we cannot lighten your burden. We cannot fully comprehend what you are experiencing. Most of us have experienced grief and, because of this, we can understand in a small way what your grief might feel like.

I, like many other folks, have shed many tears for you. We have great difficulty understanding how a situation like this could happen. Some of us might actually ask how a loving God could permit this to happen to small children. I called my 7-year-old grandson several times over the last few days to hear his small, innocent voice as he talked about his Christmas list. I thanked God for him while he was telling me what he wanted Santa to bring. Each time I told him how much I loved him. He probably wonders why I found it necessary to keep repeating that. I am sure many other grandparents have done the same.

We desperately want to lighten your burden and yet we know that we can’t. We feel so helpless. We want you to know that we are certain that our whole nation’s love is directed toward you. May God bless you, and in time we pray that you will be healed.

Thomas Neiger

Hallieford, Va.