A Different Monday

This morning was like so many other Monday mornings. After having two days off, Tucker didn’t want to go to school. He didn’t want to put on his socks, shoes and jacket. Which is typical for a Monday.

This morning was completely different from other Monday mornings. I considered letting him have another day at home. It’s not that I that I think something horrible will happen at school today. It’s that I know it could. It’s that on Friday, it did.

The collective mood was subdued at drop-off this morning. The flag was at half-mast. There was a policeman in the parking lot near the school’s entrance. Reminders that something could happen. Here. Anywhere.

After Tucker’s teacher came out and got him, I parked and walked up to the police officer and thanked him for being there today. And then, I got back in my car and with tears streaming down my face, I drove away. I fought every urge in my heart to simply sit there all day so that I’d be close by. Driving away today was harder than it was on the very first day of school.

We need to find a way to ensure our kids are safe at school. And we need to find it now.

by Kristi Campbell

12 comments

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Jennifer - You always know the right thing to say that we’re all feeling. Hugs!!December 17, 2012 – 12:49 pmReplyCancel
- admin - Thanks Jennifer. Hugs back!December 17, 2012 – 5:47 pmReplyCancel
Joy - I am so sorry for all that you felt today. I can imagine how hard it must have been for you. Sending lots of hugs your way!December 17, 2012 – 1:52 pmReplyCancel
- admin - Thank you for the hugs, Joy! I’m curious, was there more security at your Sunny’s school today too? Or is this just a US thing? Hugs back!December 17, 2012 – 5:48 pmReplyCancel
  - Joy - It really is a US thing. We do not have any security at our schools (well, probably in some schools in the large cities like Berlin or Frankfurt, but not in the rural areas or in smaller towns). I don’t think this will change.December 18, 2012 – 2:50 amReplyCancel
Rachel - The impulse to protect our kids is so strong. I can’t even imagine how hard it was to fight. When you say it was harder than the first day of school, it really hits home. I’m praying for everyone.December 17, 2012 – 5:03 pmReplyCancel
- admin - Rachel, it’s probably just me as I’m a total wimp but it really was…
  Thank you so much for the comment.December 17, 2012 – 5:49 pmReplyCancel
MomboMombo - innocence lost….December 18, 2012 – 5:39 amReplyCancel
Out One Ear - This is a very difficult time. I wish no one ever had to experience such pain. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays….they are all going to be difficult for awhile.December 19, 2012 – 11:41 pmReplyCancel
- admin - You’re so right. Every day!December 20, 2012 – 7:49 pmReplyCancel
Emily - I’ve had to fight that same urge all week – to sit outside my son’s school all day. You are right, something has to be done and something has to change.December 20, 2012 – 3:51 pmReplyCancel
- admin - It’s so hard. Since the teachers walk the preschoolers out each day to waiting parents, I’m usually standing in front of the school at the end of the day. They’re now exiting from the gym because it’s too hard on the office staff to see parents standing outside. So sad.December 20, 2012 – 7:49 pmReplyCancel