This decade unfolded with sorrow and grief,

Frustration became an unwanted motif.

Those feelings of helplessness, anger, despair,

Were burdens that everyone needed to bear.

A virus first raging in oversea nations

Impeded our health and our social relations.

The case numbers grew to a large epidemic,

Then quickly ballooned to a global pandemic.

And Newtown itself was feeling the pain:

The losses of jobs, the family-life strain,

Our schools shut their doors, the stock market fell,

And some of us bid our loved ones farewell.

In summer, a hurricane knocked out the power,

Tornados in autumn were violent and dour.

A time like no other – a terrible year,

With mountains of problems, intense and severe.

But you’ve been a light in these darkest of days,

By helping our town in some wonderful ways.

You’ve had your own losses, and sacrificed dearly,

Yet still found a way to donate sincerely.

Without ample help from good people like you,

Some families would have a tough time pulling through.

We members of WIN laud you highly with praise —

The love shown in Newtown will always amaze.

Lauren Clifford

Willow Brook Lane, Newtown December 18, 2020