Yesterday's shooting was way too close to my heart. I really have struggled processing the whole thing in the last 24 hours.
Four days ago, I talked to my kids about what would happen if a 'bad' man or woman came into the school with the intent to hurt us. I told them how I would lock the door and cover the window with paper. I told them how I'd pull any kids in the hallways into our classroom and I told them where to hide if they were in the hallways. I didn't want to frighten them but wanted to let them know the procedure. They were scared and I thought, "this is ridiculous and would never actually happen," so I calmed them down and thold them these things never happen. I know the teachers at Sandy Hook thought the exact same thing which is why this has all been so scary to me. After hearing about the shooting, I put my own classroom on lockdown just to be safe in the unlikely case of a copycat. I locked the door and we continued on with our day.
It haunted me as I watched my students laughing and building their wind turbines. They are so young and have so much life left. My kids were, of course, all completely unaware of what had happened in a similar elementary school across the country. They kept asking why our door was locked. I didn't even want to go to the place in my brain to think about us being in the same situation. As I looked at the photos of the scared surviving students on the news last night, I was horrified. These children will never be the same and innocence was stolen. As much as parents and teachers have tried to protect them from the real evil that is in the world, they were exposed to it prematurely and without a choice.
There is not a doubt in any teacher or parents' mind what actions we would take to protect these kids, but how devastating that it had to happen. I think of the sweet teachers and adults that saved lives yesterday. Such heroes.
I have heard a lot about gun control and getting more help for the mentally ill. These are certainly issues to be addressed. Right now however, I'm finding comfort in the plan of salvation and in prayer. I am happy to know that these sweet children and adults that have passed on are so loved and being well taken care of by Heavenly Father. It absolutely breaks my heart for these grieving families, including the family of the killer. It's a cruel world but there is also peace if you're looking to the right place and I have found comfort in that.
I love the things one of my best friends Ashley has said. She hit the nail on the head.
I love the things one of my best friends Ashley has said. She hit the nail on the head.
God bless the people involved with Sandy Hook!
"The Lord takes many away even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again."
JOSEPH SMITH
Beautiful post Danielle!! Warmed my heart! I STILL haven't turned on the news. First time ever, when there was a huge crime have I not turned on the news to learn more. I can't even face it. Awful beyond anything I've ever lived through.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Danielle!! Warmed my heart! I STILL haven't turned on the news. First time ever, when there was a huge crime have I not turned on the news to learn more. I can't even face it. Awful beyond anything I've ever lived through.
ReplyDeleteDon't. It's heartbreaking to see the victims. I cannot even imagine.
ReplyDelete