I must admit that it’s been very difficult for me to focus on anything this weekend other than those families impacted by what happened in Newtown, Conn. on Friday. I wrapped gifts late Friday evening and watched as emotional news anchors recapped the events of the day, and on Saturday, as one of the victim’s fathers described his last conversation with his daughter in Portuguese, a language he had been sharing with her.

I’m sure, for him, he never imagined that would be their last conversation. And another mom likely never imagined that allowing her daughter to wear her special Christmas outfit would become such a memorable choice. These everyday moments, though seemingly insignificant at the time, are what make life so special. Just a couple weeks ago, I bought a dish towel (yes, a dish towel) because of the quote printed on it:

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. -Robert Brault

I bought it because I constantly need to remind myself to just.slow.down and not to worry so much about the laundry being folded or the floor being swept. Then, I was reminded again on Friday afternoon when I heard the news about the parents of those twenty children who would never experience another everyday moment with their first-grader. With their Connor.

Sometimes, those everyday moments are tough. Connor and I certainly have our own moments, even this weekend. He is, after all, a first-grader. But, those difficult moments could never outnumber those that remind us of why parenthood is such an amazing journey. He and I also talked more about Santa this weekend (whom he still considers magical) and snuggled and battled with light sabers. Well, he had a light saber and I was forced to use a broom. And I don’t want to forget those moments … not ever.

To all of those families, and to the families of the additional eight lives lost, please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. Similar to what the Governor of Connecticut mentioned tonight, my only hope is again in the thought that as we will be soon be faced with winter, that it will surely be followed by the spring.