Two Years And An Untold Number Of Tears

This past weekend marked the 2 year anniversary of the Sandy Hook massacre. Two years ago this nation mourned the loss of twenty children who would never have the opportunity to grow up.

There was tragedy in Pakistan today. The Pakistani arm of the Taliban forced themselves in a school, armed and ready to kill. As of tonight, 141 were killed, 90% of the victims were children.

There is a famous saying from the Talmud:

Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if they destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if they saved an entire world.

I would like to add to that. Whoever destroys the soul of a child, it is as if they have destroyed ten worlds. Whoever saves the life of a child, it is as if they have saved one hundred worlds.

While I have no children of my own, my heart and my prayers go out to the families of those murdered.

I would say RIP normally, but RIP is not enough.

Happy Birthday Jane Austen!

Dear Jane Austen

Happy 239th Birthday!

Wherever you are, I raise my proverbial glass to you.

I bet that you didn’t know that you are icon.

Your booked are loved by millions worldwide ; you’ve inspired and continue to inspire multiple generations of writers (myself included).

Your characters are immortal. Whether on the page, on the stage or on the screen (big or small).

We’ve cried with happiness at the end of Persuasion.

We’ve grumbled and argued about the virtues of Fanny Price.

We’ve wished that Elizabeth could have given Darcy a proper kick to his backside for his backhanded first proposal.

While other writers have published twice or three times as many books as you have, there is only one Jane Austen.

Happy Birthday!