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 wr...