Mourning the loss of an innocent child in Boston

Matt K. Lewis Senior Contributor
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If there is a connection between Newtown and Gosnell and Boston, it’s that there is nothing more heartbreaking or maddening than the loss of an innocent child. Yes, every life is precious. But the loss of a child seems to weigh especially heavy on us.

The murder of an eight-year old boy who just wanted to give his dad a hug at the end of a finish line can only be described as evil. And yes, that exists.

After Newtown, President Obama said, “You know, someone once described the joy and anxiety of parenthood as the equivalent of having your heart outside of your body all the time, walking around.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Whether the issue is guns or immigration or abortion or terrorism, you can be sure our children are at the heart of our political decisions and disagreements.

Everyone can and should empathize with the horrific loss yesterday in Boston. But as a dad, I’ve found myself even more sensitive to this than I might have been a few years ago. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that his parents would have gladly traded spots with him. No matter what we do, there is no way we can replace their loss. All we can do right now is pray for them and love them.

And as for the evil person (or people) responsible, their day shall come. All I can think is: “it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

Matt K. Lewis