December 6, 2013 at 4:42 p.m.
Family remembers Sandy Hook one year later
Family remembers Sandy Hook one year later
It is a family tradition and Henrichs always looks forward to it. The tree would be decorated with a collection of stuffed bears placed at the tree's feet and stuffed between its branches. They chose a small, white bear to sit atop the tree.
A few days later, on Dec. 14, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting took place in Newtown, Conn. Adam Lanza, a 20-year-old, entered the school and shot 20 children and six adults before committing suicide.
The next day, the grandchildren returned to Henrich's house. While they played, Henrichs inspected the tree once more.
"I counted the bears and there were exactly the same number of children who died," she said. "I thought that was really ironic and we decided to dedicate that tree to them. It was a terrible circumstance and it was our way of remembering them."
Henrichs was a teacher for 35 years and said the Sandy Hook shooting hit her especially hard.
"I am very drawn to children after being a teacher for so long," she said. "I have two beautiful grandchildren and that made the connection automatic."
Henrichs and her grandchildren decided to decorate the tree again this year to memorialize those who died in the tragedy.
"This year, for the first anniversary, we wanted to do something special for all the little boys and girls, and teachers who died," she said. "Last year we had a white teddy bear up on top, but this year, I took the angel that I usually put on top of my big tree, and we put it on top of our bear tree to represent the angels that went to heaven that day."
Henrichs said continuing to honor those who lost their lives at Sandy Hook teaches her grandchildren a valuable life lesson.
"It gives them the understanding that it's important to remember those that aren't with us anymore, whether that's from a tragedy like Sandy Hook or something (else)," she said. "It's important to have your heart full of love and appreciate everyone while they're here, but think about them when they're gone."
Andy Hildebrand may be reached at [email protected].
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