Eulogies for Sandy Hook victims
As the first victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school were buried on Monday, family members and friends provided their eulogies of those killed on Friday.
Veronique Pozner, mother to Noah Pozner
The sky is crying, and the flags are at half-mast. It is a sad, sad day. But it is also your day, Noah, my little man. I will miss your forceful and purposeful little steps stomping through our house. I will miss your perpetual smile, the twinkle in your dark blue eyes, framed by eyelashes that would be the envy of any lady in this room.
Most of all, I will miss your visions of your future. You wanted to be a doctor, a soldier, a taco factory manager. It was your favourite food, and no doubt you wanted to ensure that the world kept producing tacos.
You were a little boy whose life force had all the gravitational pull of a celestial body. You were light and love, mischief and pranks. You adored your family with every fibre of your 6-year-old being. We are all of us elevated in our humanity by having known you. A little maverick, who didn't always want to do his schoolwork or clean up his toys, when practicing his ninja moves or Super Mario on the Wii seemed far more important.
Noah, you will not pass through this way again. I can only believe that you were planted on Earth to bloom in heaven. Take flight, my boy. Soar. You now have the wings you always wanted. Go to that peaceful valley that we will all one day come to know. I will join you someday. Not today. I still have lots of mommy love to give to Danielle, Michael, Sophia and Arielle.
Until then, your melody will linger in our hearts forever. Momma loves you, little man
Mary Radatovich, friend of Jack Pinto's family
As told to the New York Times:
From the moment Jack arrived in this world, he commanded all the attention in a room. Who could ignore that beautiful energy, the sparkle in his eye, or that spirit that clearly said, "I am here and I am something special"?
As soon as Jack started to move it was, "Look out, world! Here I come!" there were moments that seemed so scary at the time yet now seem so mundane.
Visits to the emergency room after deciding to put his head into a bucket that had been filled with chlorine, breaking his arm — all moments that Tricia and Dean anticipated as the first of many because their son was truly "all boy".
From the time he could move, Jack wanted nothing more than to catch up with his big brother Ben. He was riding a scooter like a pro at 2 years old and then a two-wheeler shortly after.
He would get on Ben's nerves, as all little brothers do, but the truth is that he was a lot of fun to play with. He would have followed Ben anywhere. Now he will be with you, Ben, for the rest of your life. Think of him every time you catch a football, hit a baseball or hug your mom and dad. He was so proud that you were his big brother and I know that you will continue to live your life in a way that will make him proud.
Dean, Tricia and Ben, you are surrounded by love from all of your friends and your precious family. We will be right by your side through the dark days ahead. You have always been the ones who will help everyone else - this is the time for us to take care of you.
We love you so much and we all love Jack.
We cannot but feel the pain of losing him, but we will never forget the joy of loving him.