Today marks the anniversary of the Columbine High School tragedy. I remember that day very clearly. Funny how we remember tragic things like this. I suppose that they have a drastic impact on the way that we choose to live our lives, so our minds can quickly recall specific details of the time when the tragedies occur. My son was still very young at the time, only 5 years old. But, he was already in school. I distinctly recall feeling a huge sense of loss when I first heard the news about Columbine. I cried for those moms who just lost their children, or who felt that sense of panic in not knowing if their children were ok.
Last year, Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls had a gun scare. When I got the text from my son asking me if I knew why they were in lock down, my mind instantly raced back to the Columbine tragedy. I frantically drove by the school and was horrified to see the flashing lights all around the building and parking lot. Caleb sent me messages that afternoon telling me that he and several of his classmates were holed up in a small building outside where they kept the concessions for sporting events. When they were ordered into lock down, this particular class was outside getting exercise. He was scared, but I think more from the worry that he didn’t know what was going on. As soon as I heard that they suspected a student had a gun on campus, I about lost it. Thankfully the entire incident ended positively and no one was hurt.
While you may hear me complain about my son’s teenage his antics, I know that I wouldn’t change any part of our lives. I am so thankful to have him healthy and with me every day. I know that there are many moms out there, especially those in CO, who do not have their beautiful children with them anymore. I pray that those moms find peace in knowing that their children’s lives have had a positive impact on the world around us. Their children show us how important it is to love and cherish our kids, even when we may be frustrated with them. Life is too short with them as it is and we need to celebrate their gifts.
This Saturday’s Recipes by The Pioneer Woman
5 years ago
I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news (standing in line at a coffee shop inside the hospital where my construction project was). And crying all the way home listening to all the news coverage. I still think of Columbine when I hear Sarah McLachlan's "Arms of an Angel" and REM's "Everybody Hurts". They played those songs in between news coverage on the radio station and I remember thinking how perfectly appropriate they were!
ReplyDeleteI remember I was at work and we all were trying to get the information when it was broadcasting. It still affects me to this day, and when I read that book about Columbine I think I cried through the whole thing. I still get worked up seeing "Bowling for Columbine" and get so angry that there is something so wrong in our country to let something like this happen.
ReplyDeleteWhy does this particular school shooting still stand out in so many minds? It wasn't the first, and sadly won't be the last. I guess it is still so haunting to see the film and pictures of Dylan and Eric before and during the shooting. I really feel for their parents as well, because how can we blame them for what happened? Those two boys fell through the cracks, and unfortunately they are only two of thousands of kids that this could happen to. Imagine all of their friends who now blame themselves for not saying anything about what was leading up to that day. There were so many clues, yet many just brushed it off thinking it was nothing.