Community emerging as theme after Newtown shooting

They said they and others are now more focused on getting to know the people around them.

"This community has pulled tighter together and responded in helping not only the 26 families, but the survivors and the first responders, and just neighbors," Nicole Hockley said. "The way they are all reacting to each other, that isn't a short-term change. It's one horrible, tragic event, but it's not destroying this place. It's showing how perhaps we could have been more before, but also how we should continue to be going forward."

Monsignor Robert Weiss of the St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church said he's seen estranged families reconciling, strangers hugging on the street and neighbors meeting neighbors for the first time. Weiss, who officiated at the funerals of eight children killed in the shooting, said he hopes that can be a legacy of the tragedy.

"The civility of this society is really disappearing," he said. "I would like to go back to a gentler time. Life is hard; it's harsh. If in our everyday activities we are just so cruel and harsh to each other, how is that going to take us anywhere?"

The Hockleys said they also feel it is important, especially as people begin debating issues such as gun control, for people to put aside personal agendas and try to find common ground.

"There hasn't always been a lot of respectful conversations taking place, and I'm disappointed by that," Nicole Hockley said. "We'd like people to honor the Sandy Hook promise by listening more before jumping in."

Ian Hockley said he believes the world is watching to see how Newtown rises from the shooting.

"We want to be a part of that," he said. "I want people to come back in a year's time and see what we've become. Because, they were here at our very worst and to see the town in a year's time, what will change in terms of community and what we will build. Then you can be a template."