I have to admit, when I first heard that there was a school shooting, I wasn’t surprised.  How sad that a shooting of any kind at any school isn’t shocking.   It's a reality check for me.

Then, I heard it was at an elementary school and that a child was dead.  My heart broke for the family of the victim and the other children who saw something unspeakable.

I didn’t break until I heard that so many children lost their lives.  I saw the picture of children being led from the school.  I saw the horror on their faces, and I fell apart.  I can’t stop crying, and I can’t get the pictures out of my head.  I know I’m not alone.

My first thought, was I can’t imagine if it was one of mine.  I have a 5th and 2nd grader.  I would never be ok again.   These parents whose children were gunned down by a madman will never be ok.

I can’t stop thinking of all the parents who love their kids as much as I love mine...and lost them today in a disgusting act of violence.   The parents who sent their kids off to school with a kiss, assuming they would see them later that day.

I don’t think it’s fair to ask God, “why?” or “how can He let these things happen?”  Preventing  these tragedies must now be up to us.

I am fed up.  I don’t want to be afraid of the world my kids live in, but I am.

I can’t live in fear, and I don’t have the answers, but I think as a society, we must start looking for signs in the people around us.

If you know someone who is suddenly hoarding guns and ammunition and acting strange, report them.

If a friend or family member suddenly suffers from severe depression or has irrational thoughts, do something.

I have to believe there are signs with these people, and it’s up to all of us to recognize those signs, and not sit by and wait until the unthinkable happens.

Today, I am holding my children close.  I am going to remember what’s important in this world.  I am going to pray for some kind of comfort for the parents left behind, and the children who saw unspeakable horrors.

There is a special place in Hell for the madman who did this.

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