Editor, Gazette-Journal:

On Friday, Dec. 14, there was a tragic shooting at a school in Newtown, Conn. I was at work and did not hear about it until four hours later. I was sickened to the pit of my stomach when I heard the news. Then my heart was absolutely broken for the families of all the victims, especially the parents of the 20 children killed.

I have no children myself, but I am the proud uncle of nine nieces and nephews, ten great-nieces and nephews, two more on the way next year and a great-great due in May. I do think about their happiness, well-being and safety every day. I cannot comprehend the grief these families are feeling. They will suffer this loss for a very long time, possibly for the rest of their lives.

This was not in God’s plan. This was the shooter’s plan. This is not what God intended for these children and their teachers. It is what the shooter intended for these victims. They were at school, at the right place at the right time and the wrong thing happened to them all. It is shameful that our schools are not safe from mass murder.

Things must change. Guns meant to rip bodies apart do not belong in our society. Movies and video games that are all about shooting people to pieces do not need to be everywhere for impressionable, troubled and disturbed minds to view. Come on, people, are you not sick of this violence in our society? Make your voices heard to our leaders and politicians. Enough is enough is enough. If this tragedy doesn’t affect all of us enough to get us to raise our voices for change, then I don’t know what will. Another massacre?

As we shop for Christmas gifts, think of those who are buying coffins and planning funerals. Think of the Christmas gifts already bought and wrapped that will not be opened by the ones they were intended for. As those parents look at those unopened gifts, the unplayed-with toys, the tears will fall again.

As we pray for world peace, let us pray for peace in our cities and towns and in our own communities. Let us continue to send our prayers and thoughts to all the families in Newtown, Conn.

Pray for those who will be missing a child, a sibling or a parent and that love lost.

As we celebrate Christmas in the week to come, I wish everyone joy in Christ’s birth, love of family and friends, and peace in mind and heart. Merry Christmas.

Joe Mereness

Gloucester, Va.