Imagine. You’re in kindergarden. Today is your last day until winter break, and you’re so anxious to get out of school. Today is the holiday party, and you’re cutting little holes in paper to make snowflakes. You’re starting your letter to Santa. You can’t wait until you can go home and hand it to your mom, so she can send it to him. You’re laughing with your best friends, making jokes about building snow forts and going sledding once the snow comes. You’re just about to walk up to your substitute teacher and tell her about the snowflake you made. You don’t really know why your teacher isn’t there, but you’re so distracted by the class party that you don’t care. Suddenly you here the door of your classroom bust down. At first you think it’s some sort of joke. Maybe it’s someone dressed as Santa to give you your gifts. Then you see that it’s two men. They’re dressed in dark hoodies and ripped jeans. You frantically scream. You have no idea what’s going on. Your substitute teacher yells for you to get under your desks.  The men point guns at you. Your friend is crying in the corner. The men walk up to her and shoot her. Just like that, she’s gone. You live in Newton, Connecticut. Why would there be killers there? The second man shoots another boy in the room. Then a chorus of blaring sirens erupts from the walls. Now there’s a voice on the loud speaker telling everyone that the school’s in lockdown. This must be a dream! You think. Then, one of the men starts walking towards you. You start kicking and screaming. Your face is bright red and stinging with tears. Please no not me! I haven’t even lived for 6 years yet.It’s too late. The man holds a pistol to your skull and pulls the trigger. 

Your mom comes rushing to your school only to find your dead body lying in a classroom with 26 other dead people. She’s weeping while she holds your body in her arms. 

All my thoughts and prayers go to those killed in the Newton shooting. I only live about 20 minutes away from there, and I know a few people who live there. God bless anybody affected by this, and keep them close to your hearts.