From Columbine to Virginia Tech: Kids Pulling on Your Heart Strings

Today as most know is the anniversary of the horrible happenings at Columbine. Also just a few days ago were the horrible events at Virginia Tech.

I have seen many sad things over the last few days. Among those are the videos on the news, the memorials to the lost, theories of what this and that means. However, absolutely nothing has gotten to me more then what happened this afternoon when I picked my son up at school.

Yesterday in the lobby of my sons school there was a sign for the kids to wear maroon and orange today to show support for VT. The ever-observant parent, as soon as we got back home from the school day, I laid out my sons orange shirt and a pair of jeans for him to wear today. I explained to him that the school had requested that students wear the orange and maroon on Friday to show respect, to remember, and to show support for the people who died so terribly at Virginia Tech at the beginning of the week. He had seen some coverage on TV and heard a few things passing by. He had some idea of what I was talking about with him. I answered his questions and let it rest until today. When we left for school today, I let him know to be on his best behavior for whatever the schools plans for today were. I had no idea that when I picked him up this afternoon I would want to burst into tears.

I made my way to the school this afternoon to get my son, who by the way is 7 and in the first grade. He in so many ways is more intelligent and honest then any adult I've ever met. I asked him how his day was. To which he replied it was good and started telling me everything that he had done today, and some of his conversations with other students in his class. This is our normal afternoon activity.

This is when I decided to ask what they did for the Virginia Tech remembrance. I should have waited until I got us home to ask that question.

My 7 year old started telling me that they had a moment of silence to remember and show respect. He then said "we had worship". I asked what he meant by worship. He then asked me what does worship mean. That was the first pull on my heartstrings. I told him to me to worship meant to pray, and on occasion to thank God or higher power for certain things. Telling him those words in this moment, it was so very difficult not to break down and cry. He then tells me that they prayed for the people who died and that he hoped they were in a better place and happy.

He then told me that his school has a new drill now, that is different from their fire drills, tornado drills and such. He said they have a new drill called the Stranger Drill. When and if they have this drill they have to go hide in a certain part of their room and the classroom doors are locked. This is called CODE RED alert. If they ever hear CODE RED from the teacher or on the intercom, they are to do just as I stated above.

Any time you hear this it is heart wrenching. Nevertheless, coming from a 7 year old it was beautiful. How could a 7 year old be so understanding and so amazingly eloquent at the same time? I was holding back tears as I was driving home. I gathered my thoughts and myself before getting my two sons out of the car. I did not want the oldest to think he had upset me by what he was telling me.

When we got everything from the day into our house and the boys were settled with a snack. I started to wonder if I should be upset because he was having worship at school. Should I be upset that my son learned so much about the situation without me? I decided on no for both of those questions.

I think it was a wonderful thing for the school to set it up for all the kids to have a moment of silence together. I think it was a wonderful thing that his teacher took the time to let the kids pray and reflect on what they understood and what they did not.

If more schools took the time to be this considerate and understanding then some of these horrid situations we hear about wouldn't be happening as often as there are these days.

I am sending major applause to schools and teachers that took the time for this today all over the country. I hope upon hope that these terrible events never happen again. I also hope and pray that no parent has to feel that pain that so many have this week.

We all must come together and be supportive and open. When something just does not seem right we need to come forward and let proper authority know what is going. Those authorities need to open their minds and eyes to see some of these things, and be more open to doing something about them before it gets out of control and ends in tragedy.

Remember to support your community and to look out for your neighbors. Keep your family and loved ones close to you and your heart. You never know when all may end.