Can sense be made of the senseless?

On December 14, 2012 – in the midst of the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah and 11 days before the Christian observance of Jesus’ birth – an event of unimaginable evil took place when a young man killed his mother, then proceeded to an elementary school where he killed 20 children, 6 teachers, and himself.

I submit that no normal person will ever be able to understand what motivates a person to carry out such a despicable and senseless act. There is no way to undo the pain that was caused. Time may diminish the horror and grief of the survivors somewhat, but it will never go away entirely.

Can anything good ever come from this? Is it possible we can try to do so? I’d like to propose a way.

Here is a list of the people who died at the hands of Adam Lanza on December 14, 2012. 28 names are listed here, including that of Lanza himself. If each of us performs an act of kindness or compassion in memory of each of these victims, perhaps we can show the survivors that we stand with them in their grief. To encourage others to join in, you’re welcome to share the card included below.

Charlotte Bacon

Daniel Barden

Rachel Davino

Olivia Engel

Josephine Gay

Ana M. MarquezGreene

Dylan Hockley

Dawn Hochsprung

Madeleine F. Hsu

Catherine V. Hubbard

Chase Kowalski

Adam Lanza

Nancy Lanza

Jesse Lewis

James Mattioli

Grace McDonnell

Anne Marie Murphy

Emilie Parker

Jack Pinto

Noah Pozner

Caroline Previdi

Jessica Rekos

Avielle Richman

Lauren Rousseau

Mary Sherlach

Victoria Soto

Benjamin Wheeler

Allison N. Wyatt