Mirian Silva Photography

“I love you, mommy!’ “I love you daddy!”  A warm feeling rushes through your heart making its way to your brain as a smile breaks out.  Your baby walks out of the car after a very tight hug stamped by  the lavender scented detergent from your clothes.  A smile, a wave…as you pull away, thoughts of the future begin to force their way in: “I need to begin a college fund, they grow up so fast!”, “How do we talk about bullying in school?” “I am glad we just moved to a safer neighborhood.” And the list of worries and concerns goes on.  You take a deep breath and shift your thoughts.  ”I need to stop worrying so much.” and what’s for dinner surfaces…

Then you get the call: 20 kids at your child’s school have been fatally shot! As you listen to each word, you feel a wave of cold water begin to flow from your head to your toes.  Everything stops except for the beat of your heart which has now gone to its max volume and is moving at 180mph.  As you race back towards the school, you begin to hear each scream, see the desperation on each face…then a thump make its way into gut as you burst in a loud voice: SAY YOU ARE NOT ONE OF THEM.

There was your kid, tears falling down the face.  You couldn’t run fast enough…each second felt like an eternity.  Tears exploded.

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I am sorry for the graphic description of what I thought could have taken place on the minds of those parents this morning.  Unfortunately, for some , it was of one them.  Words can not express how sad and painful this is for all of us.  This is my prayer:

Lord, please comfort the hearts of those families who had to experience this awful tragedy.  We know that only You can heal the wound that bleeds in the heart of each mother, father and relative.  May your peace be with them. May your loving arms embrace them. Surround them with your angels and give them strength to endure.  Give the parents, whose children had to witness this, the wisdom to explain and make them feel safe.  In Jesus name, Amen.