HI Meredith,
I remember when this happened last summer, such a horrific crime and all I could think of is that I wanted the evil men who did this to be punished but whatever can be done to them isn't enough.
It is nice to see what good came out of it and how everyone came together to remember these 3 beautiful women.
Thank you to the Walsh Family for what they did too.
Love ya Meredith
Joan K.
Wisconsin

That was beautiful.

That's amazing that a town has managed to turn something so horrible into a little good in the world. I definitely agree that this is more hopeful than anything I've heard out of New Hampshire from the candidates. Will Cheshire being doing this annually from now on? I hope so.

For some take such pain and turn it into hope is amazing. I was blessed to read about a little girl who put her pain in writing and reading it just blows u away. I don't even know her but, the words make you feel something that u have not been through is so hard. My love to anyone who has lost someone at someone elses hand.

Meredith,

Thank you for this! It is incredible, and what a wonderful update on where my thoughts had been left of the tradgedy.

Kudo's to all that helped bring this together, and for you for sharing it here.

Blessings,
Linda

Ms. Viera,

I thank you for doing your segments on illness. My mother has Multiple Sclerosis, as does my grandmother, and I am living with mental illness (severe panic disorder and post traumatic stress disorder). This is a subject that is too often swept under the carpet. I was ostracized from my coworkers and friends when I was diagnosed due to misunderstanding my disease (I was in the Navy at the time; my coworkers were a very large part of my life). My mother has also had a hard time with people being afraid to talk about her health.
I thank your husband for his courage in sharing his story and for helping the other people featured in your story to share theirs.

Sincerely,

Cait Williams

It's wonderful to see The Today Show reminding us to accept people who are different from us (due to illness). Illness isn't the only thing that distinguishes some people from others though. Snubbing for any reason is sad to see. It would be nice to see The Today Show staff applying the same concept of inclusion to their colleagues.

I live in the town where Dr. Petit grew up, his family still lives and is an active part of our community, and also has his private practice. I know many patients of his who love him as their doctor. I drive through center of town and always see fresh flowers by his Office's sign. This hit many people in this area. All of us here at work discussed this situation and we're hoping our Govenor changes the laws so this doesn't happenn again to innocent family like the Petits.

Cheshire is a quiet and beautiful New England town. They pulled together to help each other make this tragic event to a positive reflection on the Petit family.

Dr. Petit and his family are a true testiment of posisitve influences. All you hear around here is - what a kind hearted person Dr. Petit is.

Thank you for continuing coverage on this.

Melissa
Connecticut

Meredith, I have a question about the food that is cooked, or displayed on the today show set. whathappens to it after the show is finished for the day? Like all those beautiful wedding cakes Martha Stewart had on your show today? At times, there are great mounds of food of all sorts.Just wondering what happens to it all. thanks. gloria

Hi Meredith,
I was one of the many people there last Sunday and it was truly a magical day. A community pulling together like that should be an example for the entire country. It's unfortunate that we lose sight of what is so important in life, until a tragedy hits home. The goodness and kindness in everyone was definitely apparent that day. Thank you for being a part of this special event. It was an honor to have you there. My best to you and your family. I wish you health and happiness always.
Kathy
Connecticut

Hello, and thank you for doing stories like these. Stories that are about the real America and real families and towns.

Meredith,
Thanks so much for this beautiful segment on the Lights of Hope. The Walsh family with their hopefilled outlook on life is an inspiration to all of us!
Keep these kind of stories coming....it does us all good!

Hello,
I was the volunteer coordinator for this event! I would like to Thank all who helped from the cub scouts filling bags of sand, and volunteers putting all the luminarie kits together, to the actual lighting on the streets. We had over 500 volunteers in one night assembling these kits. Our volunteers ranged from elementary aged children to grandparents. What a sight to see a whole town unite for one event. We could never have pulled this off without each and everyone one of you. That is what this event was all about community. What a pleasure it was to meet and work with all the volunteers. I made so many new friends, and also realized how great my old friends are.
Hope Reinhard
Volunteer Coordinator
Cheshires Lights of Hope

About those florescent light bulbs - they contain mercury. Producing and disposing of them adds mercury to our landfills and eventually to our water supply. Here in Oregon we're supposed to take them to the toxic waste disposal site. Seems like a high price to pay for not having to turn off the light when You leave the room. And they don't work with dimmers. The savings comes from the lack of heat that florescents produce. But in the winter, when we use light bulbs most, we need the extra heat. If I don't get it from lightbulbs, I'm using my petroleum based heater to produce it.
We should think this thing all the way through. Florescents are a great invention, but they're not going to save the environment.
Thanks for considering all the angles.