Sandy Hook Victim's Mom Nicole Hockley Pays Emotional Tribute to Her Son Dylan's Memory
Nicole Hockley penned a heartbreaking message about her son, Dylan, who was a Sandy Hook victim "2,474 days" ago: "He was only in my life for 2,473 days."
Nicole Hockley was among the parents who lost a child during the terrible Sandy Hook school shooting on December 14, 2012. His son, Dylan, along with 21 other students were killed during the tragic day.
The mom penned a heartbreaking thread on Twitter, remembering her son after years of being gone. The first post came alongside a photo of Dylan wearing a Superman shirt.
Today it's been 2,474 days since Dylan was murdered at Sandy Hook. 2,474 days since he's been gone from my life. He was only in my life for 2,473 days. I feared today. Would him being gone longer than he was here mean I would forget him? pic.twitter.com/8N8jWPJr6k
— Nicole Hockley (@NicoleHockley) September 24, 2019
She initially feared the day that his memory would fade, given that his days gone out-numbered his days alive. However, the fear has left as she has "forgotten nothing."
"My son lives on in my heart, in my soul, in the memories of our family and friends and in the work of me and his Daddy," she bravely wrote.
His laugh, his eyes, the smell of his hair, his voice, the feel of his hand in mine? I am sad today, but I no longer have fear. I have forgotten nothing. My son lives on in my heart, in my soul, in the memories of our family and friends and in the work of me and his Daddy.
— Nicole Hockley (@NicoleHockley) September 24, 2019
The post quickly gained attention and attracted Twitter users to sympathize and share their positivity with Hockley and her family. The victim's mom remained open about how the unfortunate incident changed her family.
She also became one of the founding members of Sandy Hook Promise, which hopes to prevent "shootings, violence, and other harmful acts in school."
We will always love him and miss him. My butterfly is gone, but never forgotten, no matter how many days go by.
— Nicole Hockley (@NicoleHockley) September 24, 2019
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who highlighted the need to stop gun violence during his presidential bid, were among the thousands who took notice of Hockley's post.
"I bet those were the best 2,473 days of your life," he said. "We will never forget the Dylan you've shared with us or the courage you show every single day to make sure one day, no mother will have to ever experience this."
Today, our students engaged in an outreach project with #SandyHookPromise to combat social isolation by focusing on inclusion. We're proud that students, faculty, and staff came together to take this small, yet kind initiative to promote unity throughout our community and beyond. pic.twitter.com/hiqUDpmFQB
— Fairfield University 🦌 (@FairfieldU) September 25, 2019
"The Real" co-host, Tamera Mowry, recently also broke to tears while remembering the Sandy Hook incident as her niece died in a mass shooting as well.
Her 18-year-old niece, Alaina Housley, was among the 12 victims shot at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, on November 2018. Mowry pointed out that nothing has changed since the two shootings.