I just wanted to post a little blurb here on TSL to explain why there wasn’t a Kansas City Chiefs/Oakland Raiders preview from me this past weekend. As everyone should know by now, the small town of Newtown, Connecticut underwent such unimaginable terror this past Friday when a gunman entered an elementary school and killed 25 people (20 children ages seven and under, and five staff members including the principal). I decided as the lead writer of this blog that I would not post until today with respect to those who were affected by such a horrific day in U.S. history, and simply because I thought it was inappropriate to be talking sports during such time.

On behalf of The Silver Lining, I am extending my most heartfelt condolences to you, America. Being Canadian myself, I want you the reader to know that Canada (most likely along with the rest of the world) is living through this pain with you and if we could hug you as a collective nation, we absolutely would. Not at all to start a political debate, but personally I am hoping this will be the straw that broke the camel’s back – I truly believe that the United States as a nation will learn a great deal from this awful tragedy and will act responsibly and accordingly.

Being childless at this point in my life, I cannot imagine such immense pain that parents of the deceased are no doubt feeling. I can only hope that those who are enduring this overwhelming grief will not suffer in silence and that one day in the future they can find peace.

R.I.P. Angels of Newtown, CT. My prayers, our prayers, are with you all.