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From the point of view of a father of two elementary school children, a parishioner shares his thoughts about the recent horrific school shooting in Ulvade, Texas.
When we become numb !
When we become numb !
Shock turned into disbelief and then into pain with some anger creeping in!
It was a busy day and as with typical weekdays, the morning chores were defined. Feed the kids, prepare the morning coffee and ensure that they are out of the house for the school bus by 8:05 AM. This happens like clockwork, every day in every home of an elementary or middle schooler.
In this modern world and with our current lifestyle, kids stepping into a school bus gives us a sense of security. A guarantee that by the end of day, they would step back from the same bus.
We built that security because we ensured that everything that goes around it is secure. We have good educators, who impart the right knowledge to kids without any discrimination. In order to fuel our sense of security, we also ensure that we fund the school to put checks and balances which ensures the well-being of our kids in their care.
This sense of security, shatters every single time, violence that is unfathomable nature happens to kids in school.
This sense of security, shatters every single time, violence that is unfathomable nature happens to kids in school.
This sense of security, shatters every single time, violence that is unfathomable nature happens to kids in school.
It happened that day in Ulvade.
It happened that day in Sandy Hook.
It happened that day in Columbine and many in between.
I was a new father when Sandy Hook happened. We lived close-by, so it hit me hard. I remember holding my year-old son very tight that night. I was up the first few nights trying to fathom, what those parents would be going through. It was a very sinking feeling.
That very same sinking and shattering feeling started creeping in, when news of Ulvade starting coming in.
One would imagine that in the past 10 years since Sandyhook, there should be enough evidences about the issue to find and fix the problem. We have done this before with all the issues that ail our society. We put in those checks and balances to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
So it still escapes me, why haven’t we found a way for us to solve this. The solution cannot be caging our kids in an environment where they are made to feel secure behind impenetrable walls and closed doors. It cannot be solved by posting armed guards and teachers in school.
It has to be more concrete, fool-proof and un-breakable.
It has to be more concrete, fool-proof and un-breakable.
Un-breakable like the contract we have with the society we live in. It is the same one where we agree and follow the rules laid by it, with the guarantee that this society will come together to protect its own, including our most vulnerable even from evil within itself.
As a new day starts in my home, I make it a point to give my kids an extra squeeze. I always make a silent prayer. Lord, praying for your providence to keep them, their friends and teachers safe and bring them home safely.
As a new day starts in my home, I make it a point to give my kids an extra squeeze. I always make a silent prayer. Lord, praying for your providence to keep them, their friends and teachers safe and bring them home safely.
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