Storified by Legacy.com· Fri, Dec 21 2012 09:34:14
Ihave been a dad now for 14 months -- proud father of a big-eyed, busy boy. Asyou can imagine, our life is a scramble. When we're not out working hard toprovide for him, we're chasing our little man around the floor. We are youngparents with a child in a small neighborhood full of kids, in a busy town fullof parents and children, in an enormous world full of the same.
Iwant you to know that in our little house and in our town far to the south ofNewtown, my heart is crushed for you, and for all of your friends and families.Nothing has ever affected me this way. And the truth is, there's nothing I canreally do for you or for Newtown. My love and prayers for the townunconditionally join billions of others, but I don't think it's enough.
WhenI saw this photo of Chase, it reminded me so much of my son. I can see him inChase's eyes, his grin. They could easily be brothers. So I want you to knowthat I have decided to honor Chase's legacy, and that of his classmates, byspecifically making the effort to always think of Chase when I look at my boy.Every time I get him out of bed, or tie his shoe, or hear him say "Dada" and smile up at me, I will honor Chase's memory in my prayers. Thesimple gift of your son's photograph, in the midst of this horrible thing, willmake every moment with my child stronger, more important, and better. I amforever indebted to you and your son for that.
~DouglasCutting(Charleston, SC)
