LOS ANGELES – The elementary school shooting that occurred last week in Newtown, Conn., had an understandable impact on Clippers forward Caron Butler, the father of five. It struck so close to home that he sent out a holiday greeting to friends and the media to express his thanks and love for his children.
Butler and his wife Andre both have connections to Connecticut. Both attended UConn, and Andre grew up in Hartford and still has family in the area.
“With the holidays upon us, we are grateful and thankful for our blessings,” Butler wrote. “I am also grateful that I will be home on Christmas to watch the delight in my young daughters' eyes as they open their presents under our tree. However it will be hard for all of us not to remember the families in Newtown, Conn., whose holidays will be horribly different this year after the tragic, and unthinkable events that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School last week.”
The school shootings took the lives of 20 children and six adults, plus the shooter. On Friday morning, a moment of silence was observed in Newtown.
“To imagine not to have the opportunity to say goodbye to your children was a true tragedy,” Butler said before the Clippers played the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. “A lot of things went through my head when it happened. It hit home in a lot of ways.”
The Clippers play the Denver Nuggets at Staples on Christmas night, and Butler wrote that being able to “kiss my wife and tuck my daughters in and make the holiday complete is the best gift I could ever receive.
“With that in mind, we hope all parents give their kids one more hug, take one more family photo or make one more phone call home for those on the road during the holiday season. I know what it is like not to be with your family during such an important time of year, but this year especially, I plan on making the most of the being together. I know my whole family will be keeping the families of Newtown in our thoughts and hearts.”
