Secondly, if you are not in a classroom, get somewhere where you can HIDE and lock the door. Janitor’s closet, teacher’s bathroom with a door that locks (I know your school has those out in the hallway), an open classroom. THINK about your school and THINK about where you might go. PLAN AHEAD so you don’t have to decide in the moment. Once you get somewhere safe, do not make a sound or open the door unless it is for the police.
Lastly, remember that God is with you. The reason I can still send you off to school bravely the day after a school shooting even though my heart hurts, and beats faster, is because I KNOW God is with you. I know I have a God who created you and loves you EVEN MORE THAN I DO. I know I can trust Him with your lives. Because you are precious in His sight, even and especially when you are out of mine. Yes, bad things DO happen to good people, but God is there in the bad things, too. Cling to Him, and I will, too – no matter what happens.
My darlings, it is okay to be afraid, but I do NOT want you to live in fear. The Bible tells us not to be anxious, but when we are, then to PRAY about everything. Take your fears to God, and lay them at His feet. Talk to ME about it, I won’t change the subject. We live in a world that has lots of scary things in it — and as your mom, it is my privilege to help you face them, and to face them with you. Even though this is hard, even though I want you to be little and innocent, God gives me the strength to do so.
Finally, my little loves, I want you to change the world, one person at a time. To your classmates, especially that one who seems to need it — show love and kindness. Treat others as you would want to be treated. People who go to school and shoot others usually come from a home or school life where they have not received much love and kindness. It is not an excuse for what they do, but I tell you this so that you can know that the love and kindness of just ONE person to someone who REALLY needs it can stop a tragedy. I believe that with all my heart.
I love you three, so much. And now you know why, the day after a school shooting, I said it more than once before you walked out the door this morning.
Love always,
Mom
