I usually type about photos I have taken that day, that week, or photos that I have taken since I started realizing that I have an eye of shooting photos landscapes, nature photos, etc. This post hits a little differently and I wanted to express my feelings on the topic because it hits a little close to home. Thankfully our tiny school was not affected by an actual school shooting, just the threat of one and having investigators and extra security at the school for over a week was enough for my girls, their friends, other parents, and even myself to feel something.

My heart goes out to all those affected by school shootings. We must do more to ensure that our children are safe when they are in school. We must come together as a society to work towards more effective gun control laws and better mental health services. We need to focus on prevention and provide students, teachers, and administrators with the support they need to recognize and address potential threats in our schools.

I realize how important it is for me to equip our kids with the tools, knowledge, and faith to make the best decisions possible. It’s easy to get complacent and think “this will never happen to us” but it can. We need to be aware of our surroundings and never take anything for granted. For whoever wrote the threat is a heartbreaking tragedy and it is difficult to imagine the level of despair that this person must have been feeling. It is important that we make sure that people who are feeling this way can access help and support before they resort to desperate measures. We need to ensure that everyone has someone they can turn to in times of distress. This reminded me of a Proverb I once read and would never forget:

“The child who is not embraced by its village will burn it down to feel its warmth.” John was going to burn down his village to feel its warmth. To be heard. To be seen. To be noticed.

This is so true. It’s a scary realization that no matter where we are, no matter how old we are, and no matter what time of day it is, we are always vulnerable to the possibility of a terror attack. We must be ever vigilant and take steps to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities from this kind of violence. We need to connect with the world and people around our children, as well as to provide them with the tools to express themselves in healthy ways. We need to create a safe and supportive environment for our kids, one that promotes open discussion, understanding, and mental heath support. Lastly, we need to empower our kids to be the change that they want to see in the world.