With heavy heart

So many in Sharon and the northwest corner are grieving today. We have lost a child - all of us have. We all raise each other's children, don't we? When they come over to our houses, when we feed them a snack or give them a ride to ballet or soccer, when the older ones babysit the younger ones and we chat with them before we drive them home. We impart our values, we look out for their wellbeing, we listen, we show them we care. And when one of them dies, as happened yesterday, we grieve as if it was our own flesh and blood.

In the eyes of a friendly neighbor and family friend, Kaelan was a remarkably kind and thoughtful boy - talented, creative, very smart like all his sisters. His last act was right in character: leaping into a raging river to save a friend in danger.

I admire his mom, Catherine, for her public comments today on Facebook and in the Lakeville Journal: she is showing gratitude and positivity - looking for was to bring the community together, as she always has. I hope I would do the same.

From what I can gather, and as happens time and again in our community, people have worked hard - beyond hard - to help, carrying on the search long after the officials had given up. I know others will come forward to help the family in the days to come - with casseroles and kind words, and by being a calm and caring friend, a good listener, at the saddest time. We will bear this together, remember Kaelan together, help each other together.

Peace