I can’t imagine.  The pain.  The sorrow. The fears.  The unanswered questions.  The constant tears. The sleepless nights. The unopened gifts under the tree this year. The loss.  The what-if’s.  The sadness.  The empty beds.  The empty hearts.

Twenty families were unable to do what I did this morning, and make sure their children were up and ready for school.  Six other families were unable to do what I did this morning and tell their loved ones goodbye and I love you before as they headed out the door to go to work.

I can’t imagine.

Yesterday morning, before heading off to Sunday School, I stumbled upon an article with information about the adults and children who lost their lives in the Sandy Hook tragedy.  The article lists all of those who lost their lives, that day, and gives a little look into the lives of the women and children who are no longer with us.

Official Release of the Sandy Hook Elementary Tragedy

Here are a few quotes from those stories:

Charlotte Bacon – 2/22/06

Charlotte Bacon’s mother relented and let her wear the new pink dress and boots to school.

Rachel D’Avino – 7/17/83

Days before the Connecticut shooting rampage, the boyfriend of Rachel D’Avino had asked her parents for permission to marry her.

Olivia Engel – 7/18/06

“Her only crime,” he said, “is being a wiggly, smiley 6-year-old.”

Ana Marquez-Greene – 04/04/06

“As much as she’s needed here and missed by her mother, brother and me, Ana beat us all to paradise. I love you sweetie girl,” he wrote.

Dawn Hochsprung – 06/28/65

When the unthinkable came, she was ready to defend. Officials said she died while lunging at the gunman in an attempt to overtake him.

Chase Kowalski – 10/31/05

Just last week, he was visiting neighbor Kevin Grimes, telling him about completing — and winning — his first mini-triathlon.

Anne Maria Murphy – 7/25/60

Authorities told the couple their daughter was a hero who helped shield some of her students from the rain of bullets.

Lauren Rousseau – 06/82

Lauren Rousseau had spent years working as a substitute teacher and doing other jobs. So she was thrilled when she finally realized her goal this year to become a full-time teacher at Sandy Hook.

Victoria Soto

“She was trying to shield, get her children into a closet and protect them from harm,” Wiltsie told ABC. “And by doing that, put herself between the gunman and the children.”

For the full account from each friend and family member about the lives lost that day, please take a moment to read the full article with all the names and many beautiful stories.

We will always remember.