20 angels on top of my tree.

I traced my two year old daughters hand, and cut out 20 handprints, put the name of each child on a hand, assembled them in a circle, and attached them to the star on top of my Christmas tree.

I think all of us have wanted to find a way to feel some peace and resolve with this tragedy. This idea came to me last night, when I was snuggling with my sleeping little girl, and holding her hand. I felt so thankful to have her, but so sad for the families and the children. Since the children and their families, in particular, had been running through my mind so often --- I needed to find a way to "see" them that was not graphic, was not with such deep sadness ---- when I was in between sleep and wake last night, this picture you see here came into my mind. As I was making it this afternoon, I was crying. There were so many hands - I didn't know how to arrange them where they could all be seen. It ended up looking bigger than what I had seen in my mind last night. I don't want to sound conceited or selfish - but when it was done, I looked at it - and was finally able to see those children in a more peaceful and hopeful way than I had before. For me, I can look at this - and see them as being all together, seeing them with the stars, see them acting as and being angels, see them still here in spirit, see them looking down on us - looking down on their families on Christmas - see them in the hand and life of my daughter - all of our children - (which is why I traced my daughters hand, instead of freelancing it)... It certainly is still very sad, but this gives me a vision of hope and peace with it. I hope it can do the same for others.