Dearest Natalie,
There was another school shooting today.
Another senseless, tragic loss of life.
Teachers like me.
Sophmores like you.
Every time you hear about a shooting, your heart breaks a little more. I can see it in your eyes. When there is a drill at your school, you panic. You know the places to hide in every one of your classrooms. We watch the news and think, it won't happen to us.
I hope that it never does but I am not sure that I can make that promise.
I remember when you were little and we were talking about the Sandy Hook massacre and you realized that as a teacher, I would put my life in danger to protect my students. We talked about how your teachers would do the same for you.
I remember thinking that this would never happen again.
Now that you are older, we talk about why this is happening. What makes people so desperate that this is the only solution for them?
How can we make people's lives better so that they seek the help they need?
You are kind.
You are a good friend.
You are in youth group and the music groups at school and have friendships with good people.
I wish that was enough to protect you.
You say that you are happy that when you are out of high school you will not have to worry about this anymore.
I wish that I believed that were true.
Love forever,
Mom
