To the Angels of Sandy Hook Elementary School
Last Friday started like any Friday. I got up, took my kiddos to school, forced myself to go to the gym, gave up too early then called one of my besties to keep my company while I washed dishes. Except when I called, instead of her normal happy hello, I was greeted with, “Are you watching the news?”
I guess in a lot of ways I choose to shelter myself from the evils of the world. But on that life changing day I had nowhere to hide as I watched it invade the most innocent of places.
I woke up that morning with a mile long list of Christmas cookies to share but the horrific events in Newtown erased every ounce of excitement I felt as I thought of all of the hearts breaking that day.
People grieve in different ways. There are so many things I want to say, but no matter how hard I try I am unable to express how deeply sorry I am for everyone who will be forever affected by what happened that day. So instead, I made cookies.
*Cookies inspired by Ali-Bee’s Bake Shop
No tutorials or tips. Just an angel to honor the memory of each precious victim lost that terrible morning at Sandy Hook Elementary school.
Daniel Barden, 7
Rachel Davino, 29
Olivia Engle, 6
Josephine Gay, 7
Dylan Hockley, 6
Dawn Hochsprung, 47
Madeline Hsu, 6
Catherine Hubbard, 6
Chase Kolwalski, 7
Jesse Lewis, 6
Ana Marquez-Greene, 6
James Mattioli, 6
Grace McDonnell, 7
Anne Marie Murphy, 52
Emilie Parker, 6
Jack Pinto, 6
Noah Pozner, 6
Caroline Previdi, 6
Jessica Rekos, 6
Avielle Richman, 6
Lauren Rousseau, 30
Mary Sherlach, 56
Victoria Soto, 27
Benjamin Wheeler, 6
Allison Wyatt, 6
I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the parents, families, and friends of every single person affected by this horrific tragedy. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
This is a beautiful tribute.
I am praying with you!
You are a sweetheart. I’m so glad we’re friends.
Thank you for this beautiful tribute. I would have liked to have seen you include Nancy Lanza in this post. She too was a victim of this tragedy, and she should be remembered too.
Reading your post made me want to cry! 🙁
Those poor children…
I am sad you didn’t include the shooter’s mother. She was also a victim. Beautiful cookies though.
Beautifully said and beautiful cookies to honor the memory of those children and adults. Absolutely tragic and senseless.
Beautiful. <3
You should auction these off and send the proceeds to the fund setup for the families of the victims of this horrific crime. Your cookies are beautiful and the perfect vehicle for those of us in the cookie community to give to these families through donations/bids on your platter.
This is a beautiful tribute, I don’t have children, but I can honestly say, I am heartbroken for each person affected by this tragedy, especially the parents who are facing aching hearts over something that didn’t need to happen.
Beautiful Callye, horrible that so many need to suffer needlessly.
I don’t know if the families of those victims will see this, but your post is so touching and brings comfort in its own way. Peace.
Callye, they are perfect.
Just beautiful. Thank you for your wonderful post. One of my closest friends from college lives in the town and her son goes to the school. He was unharmed, but the trauma and sadness experienced by the whole community is profound. We are all praying.
Beautiful. Beautiful cookies, beautiful comments, and you, Callye, have a beautiful heart. Thank you for trying to express what so many of us must be feeling.
<3
These are beautiful. Thank you for including their names. Heroes and angles.
Angels… not angles… silly typo on my part.
BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!! Such a nice thought.
Beautiful, touching tribute.
What a lovely, sweet tribute!
so beautiful, Callye. xoxo
Beautiful words and post, thank you for sharing.
Oh Callye- these are the sweetest cookies ever. I can’t stop thinking about all of these angels. xoxoxo
Callye, these are just incredible. They say so much more than words ever could.
This is a great tribute. They re lovely.
Such a sweet and beautiful tribute to those innocent children!
Callye, words just don’t do justice to the feelings, do they? These cookies are so special and you have a heart of gold!
Thank you for sharing. It is just heartwrenching.
Most beautiful tribute I have seen
A beautiful tribute that brought tears to my eyes. You have said in cookies what we all feel though are unable to find the right words. Thank you so much for sharing this.
This was beautiful. Thank you Callye. Love you tons.
Beautiful & moving, my friend. <3
These are absolutely beautiful. Heartbreakingly so.
These cookies are beautiful and so very touching. Your cookies and your words are so thoughtful and sweet. This brought tears to my eyes.
AWESOME tribute…..when words are just not enough. Be blessed
Such sweet perfect cookies. It is such a heartbreaking tragedy, one can’t begin to imagine the pain famillies are going through. Hugs and prayers to all those affected in Newtown and your country.
I’m hurt, I’m mad and i’m out of words to express how I feel about this tragedy. When I saw your cookies today I cried again, my heart is broken but they gave me some peace. I pray for those little angles and the heroes that went to take care of them, and i pray for the families hoping that in some way, somehow they will find peace.
I’m from a small island, but you matter where you’re from people do evil things. my prayers go out to all families.
Thank you for listing their names and for your personal way to honor each victim!
This is a beautiful but very sad memory for all those beautiful innocent children and their heroes that tried to save them. My heart goes out to each and every one of those families and hope that some day they can find some kind of peace though this horrific tragedy. Hugs and Prayers to each and every one of you.
So sorry. Beautiful and moving. Lots of love from Spain
It’s very beautiful tribiute. God bless the parents of these children. I’m from Poland, but my heart also hurts,
Heart wrenching post to read as I am sure it was to write and make. What a beautiful tribute and another gentle reminder to hug your loved ones a little tighter every day!
God Bless!
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What a beutiful way to honor them, Callye. Spain is with their families. Now they are angels. (Sorry for my awfull englisgh)
Callye, I would like to show your cookies photograph in my facebook for somedays. I´ll put your site name. I ask you for your permission, to honor these angels. If you don´t like o don’t want, just tell me, and no problem.Thanks!
There are no words to express my sadness – your angel cookies are a beautiful tribute.
What a beautiful tribute Callye. When I heard the news Friday it just broke my heart. I can’t imagine the pain the families affected are feeling. Totally heart breaking.
Mi mas profundo apoyo a todas las familias afectadas. Un saludo desde España.
These cookies are Amazing.. So sad about the news… Its crazy what society is now..
I still feel like I am in shock. I cannot imagine the pain these parents are going through. Too much evil in this world.
beautiful tribute. thank you. my heart is also with these families at this difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all…
Heart wrenching…a beautiful tribute. We all squeezed our kiddos a little tighter…
These are lovely. My heart is still breaking for these babies and their families.
that is beautiful, callye. words cannot even express… but you did so poignantly, in the best way you can.
A lovely tribute
Thank you from everyone here in Connecticut. It helps to know we are not alone in dealing with this horrific event.
i’m from México and When i heard the news i was in shock i have 2 kids one is 5 years old and my little one is only 9 months i can’t even imagine the pain of the parents but that was only a sign that we all need to change and change for good and for God. I love what this cookie represents those children’s are enjoying in the presence of God. Amen.
I love all your decorating but by far these hit right to the heart a very sweet and nice thing for you to do.
These cookies and the meaning they carry is so beautiful Callye. Thinking of all the families who have lost loved ones and will be praying for peace.
Seeing all the released pictures of the victims is heart-wrenching. This is beautiful tribute, Callye.
Eres increíble, siempre me impresionas con tus creaciones, pero está me ha dejado sin palabras por su sensibilidad. Gracias.
You are amazing, always impress me with your creations, but it has left me speechless for its sensitivity. Thank you.
Susana López
La Dulce Villa.
España.
I never watch the news. Too much sadness in the world. I found out about this via facebook and it’s just horrible. I can’t even get it off of my mind. I can’t even wrap my mind around it. The cookies you made in memory of those are just amazing and such a sweet thought. My prayers are with the parents and families as well.
Thank you for honoring these fallen angels in your own sweet way.
Thank you for sharing your story, and for the lovely tribute to those whom we lost in the tragedy.
Because I have grandchildren the age of these poor babies, I cannot quit hurting for the families of these poor babies, and adult helpers that were brutally taken in the early stages of life. Thank heavens I know the Lord, and that thesey are all in heaven with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. May the families find a peace with this somehow, and the rest of us to love every moment- even the hard parts..
Holiday blessings to everyone.
All of the above, and then some more.Our hearts break along with every one in the world. May GOD bless them all, pease. Jim
Sweet Sugar Belle:
I frequently visit your website for tips and inspiring cookie designs. You are so talented, funny and real. It was so touching to see the beautiful angel cookies you created to honor the lives lost in the horrific tragety in Connecticut. We are all saddened by this event. As a mother of three, I am horrified by this event. Your cookies are a wonderful expression to honor the victims. God bless them all.
LOVE your work. Merry Christmas.
Susan
Each year my Christmas sugar cookies have a special theme and this year is angels for the same reason you made your angel cookies. I was looking for inspirational ideas and saw your design on google image and simply said “perfect”, When I went to your web site I was blown away that these angels are the dame angels I was thinking of honoring. They are beautiful. No worries, my cookies are for family consumption only. BTW I live in Oxford, CT just two towns away from Newtown. Thank you for your special tribute.
May you and your family have a lovely Christmas Sugarbelle. God bless!
Praying for the families that lost loved ones.
R
We saw what happened, here, in France. This is so so sad and terrific. Each parent cry with them. This day, we were not french, american or german, or spanish… we were all just parents.
Your cakes are so beautiful and sad on the same time.
This memorial is beautiful. When I first saw this posting, I had to get out because I cried so hard, I couldn’t at that time appreciate it. Today, still sadden with tear filled eyes, I took the time to read each name and again pray for them and their families. Thank you for taking the time to post such a lovely tribute. You are truly an amazing person.
From Spain, I want to express my deep sorrow for the terrible event that Americans have suffered.
It is a difficult time to say I love your work and if it is a hassle, I would like to send a friend request from my site Au claire de la lune cookie craft. Thank you and Happy 2013.
I finally have some time to myself this morning. So of course, I go straight to your blog my fav. Thank you for showing me that what we think is so simple as a cookie could mean so much. Peace be with everyone.
where are you??? i miss your work a lot 🙁 i hope everything´s fine..
Same here! I have been checking back almost everyday to see any new posts! Hope all is okay!
Me too! Checking back every day. We miss you and your spectacular talent. You brighten our days!
Me three!! I’ve been checking everyday too!! Happy New Year! Hope you’re doing good.
Me four. I miss seeing all of your work! Hope all is well with you.
Me five! I miss you and your talent and am praying all is okay.
Callye…..you are missed by so many of us. I check your site daily as you are my absolute favorite instructor and mentor on my newfound cookie decorating hobby. You’ve taught me so much that I feel like you are a friend. I’m very concerned that you haven’t posted anything since the tragedy at Sandy Hook. It breaks my heart every morning not only to be reminded of the innocent lives lost…..but that you haven’t returned. I pray that you and your family are well and that you will return to your many fans soon. God Bless.
Dyan said it best. I miss seeing your post on here! You are a true inspiration and great teacher to so many people. Most everything I’ve learned related to cookies was because of your blog. Praying that all is well Callye!!!
Cookies mean much more to us than most people think. They unite a special group with creativeness and inspiration. You are a cornerstone to our cookie community and we wish you a happy new year, one that is filled with all that makes you happy and content. Safe return to our Jedi Master….
Another longtime fan who misses you and hopes all is okay . . .
Hello Sweet lady! As many other fans, I miss your post and your new ideas!!I I hope everything is fine! All my best!
Hi Callye, Long time reader first time commenter. Just wanted to let you know we miss you and hope all is ok. xxx
I see I am not the only one w/love and concern for our beloved Sweet Sugar Belle!!! Hoping things are ok w/you and family!
Hai callye, is this your website ? —> http://www.glorioustreats.com/category/cookie-decorating
i found it was as same as sweetsugarbelle.
thanks,just wanna know
Hi Intan,
No, Glory is the author of glorioustreats.com, Callye is a different person.
WE all miss you and hope you are well.
Callye…I’m very concerned. I love your blog and visit everyday to see what wonderful new creation you have. I’ve missed so much your amazing new ideas. I really hope that you and your family are well. Please come back soon!
Callye posted on her FB page a few days ago that she had the flu and should be back in action soon.
Callye, Your post of Dec. 16, 2012 struck me with it’s simplicity and beautiful message of sympathy. It reminded me that we all must express grief in our own way and time. I am a retired elementary school principal from eastern Connecticut and had attended a retirement for a special education teacher the night before the tragedy. Being with so many of my former staff the night before the tragic event made the events of the day more real. I know my teachers and staff would have reacted the same way as the wonderful adults who supervised the children of Sandy Hook. Sandy Hook will never be forgotten by me as it occurred on my birthday.
The teachers and staff at my former school know that I make cookies (inspired very frequently by your beautiful talent). Last week, I made a box of cookies for the principal who celebrates the joy of working with children by wearing brightly colored neckties. I felt he needed to have an assortment of neckties inspired by the school colors and mascot. Turns out, he grew up in Newtown and attended Sandy Hook as a child. I’m hoping the “ties” helped him through his own grieving process as well as showing him how appreciated he is.
Thank you again for so willingly sharing your creative gifts with us. You motivate so many of us to push on, stretch our skills and learning, and share the joy of cookie making and gifting. God Bless.
God Bless you for posting the little one’s names with the angel cookies. I love your site and have learned so much!
Can I ask where you got this Angel cookie cutter?
They are just adorable!
I am also wondering where the cutter was purchased. Please let me know if you get a chance. Thanks so much!
Does anyone know where the cookie cutter came from?
Beautiful tribute! I would love to know where this cutter came from as well.
I Googled “Angel cookies” this am trying to find a recipe to include in my Christmas baking this year. Can across your gorgeous cookies and your tribute and it brought tears to my eyes. This is absolutely beautiful and thank you for sharing!!
Beautiful – I just found these looking for some angels for Christmas cookies. Even 4 years later the tragedy of this still shakes me, more so now that my oldest is 6, like many of the victims. Funny how cookies somehow give comfort. Thanks for your inspiration.