I grew up in Rye in the 70s and 80s and spent my entire childhood there. I went to Osborn, then Midland, and graduated from the high school as a devoted Rye Garnet, class of ’85.

 

I grew up in Rye in the 70s and 80s and spent my entire childhood there. I went to Osborn, then Midland, and graduated from the high school as a devoted Rye Garnet, class of ’85. I was a kid from Rye, but now I’m a Sandy Hook School mom. 

 

On May 15, an extraordinary group of moms from Rye gave over 100 Sandy Hook School moms a love-filled gift of friendship and fun, relaxation and peace, kindness and healing. They brought tears to our eyes as we arrived in two buses, friends we didn’t yet know waving us welcome beneath an arch of green and white balloons declaring We Choose Love. They opened their arms and their hearts, pampering us with an offering of fun and peaceful activities throughout the morning amid the beauty and serenity of Rye Town Park and beach in the springtime. There were smiles and laughter and hugs and more laughter. After a lovely lunch under the pavilion, tears came again as we listened to the moving dedication to Sandy Hook families of a bench in the park, where friends can sit together with a view of the water and the joy of leisure all around them.

 

Every detail of the day was so thoughtful, from the bag with water, mints, and gum that awaited us on our bus seats to the rubber duck, with the green memorial ribbon, nesting in the bow on the Sandy Hook park bench. Tears welled up once more when our new Rye mom friends lined up along the sidewalk to wave goodbye as our buses departed, this time tears of thankfulness for their kindness, compassion, and generosity.

 

Coming from Rye has always been something of which I am proud, but I have never been more honored to be connected to this town as I am now. This beautiful gift began after December 14 with a seed that bloomed in the mind of Rye mom Cliona Cronin, who gathered friends and spent months planning and preparing.

 

On behalf of all the Sandy Hook moms who were there, I want to thank Cliona Cronin, Jo Bryan, Carrie Donahue, Alexandra Hickey, Laura Kelleher, Kristine Kennedy, Jannine Moran, Kim Mulcahy, Kim O’Connor, and every single one of the nearly 100 Rye moms who graced us with the warmth of your smiles and hearts that day, along with all in your community who contributed to making our day in Rye so truly memorable.  

 

Your loving kindness and generosity of spirit inspires and helps us heal.  We Are Sandy Hook and We Choose Love. The moms of Rye have shown us that they do, too.   

 

In peace and gratitude.

 

Lynn Edwards

Sandy Hook, Connecticut