Last Thursday, I pulled into the pick-up line at the end of the school day – as I always do. And my daughter walked to the car – as she always does. But something was different.
Something was wrong.
She opened the car door as the words came pouring out of her mouth.
“Did you hear what happened? Did they tell you?”
Deep breaths. One. Two. Three.
“No. I haven’t heard anything. What happened? Are you okay?”
Deep breaths. One. Two. Three.
“The school went on lockdown.”
Deep breaths. One. Two. Three.
“Why? Is everyone okay?”
Deep breaths. One. Two. Three.
The words poured from her mouth as she explained what happened in full detail. It began with an announcement over the PA system. The words spoken over the PA were few, but the reactions the words caused were swift.
“We are on lockdown. This is not a drill. We are on lockdown. This is not a drill.”
Silence. Movement. Waiting. Silence. Tears.
My daughter went on to describe how the teacher locked the door, turned off the lights and ushered everyone to the corner of the room.
He stood in front of them.
They had been through this before. They knew what to do. Only this time was different. This time it was not a drill.
Kids were crying.
She knew her teacher was scared by the look in his eyes, but he remained calm – as heroes do. Reminding them of the importance of their silence.
My daughter said she knew she had to be quiet, so she let the tears fall from her eyes, down her cheeks, but did not make a peep for fear that someone outside of the room may hear.
Someone accidentally dropped his crutch. More crying. Would this bring someone to their room?
In the middle of her telling me this story, she looked up at me with her big blue eyes and said, “Mom. I have never been so afraid in all of my life.”
Deep breaths. One. Two. Three.
What do I say? How do I respond?
“I’m so sorry, honey. I can’t imagine how scary that had to have been. Then, what happened?”
After the lockdown was over, she was told there had been a fight close to the school and someone had a gun. As a precaution, the police told the schools in the surrounding areas they had to go on lockdown. She was told the altercation took place in a small, new neighborhood.
She said she spent the rest of the day wondering if that was our neighborhood. Wondering if her brother and I were okay. Wondering if I would be there to pick her up.
Deep breaths. One. Two. Three.
My daughter and I spent the remainder of the car ride home talking about what happened. She vented. I listened.
For a few minutes that day – my daughter, her classmates, the teachers and staff believed there was a chance their lives, and the lives of their loved ones, may be taken from them.
This is the reality that teachers, administrators, students and countless others who work in the school system face.
These people are heroes.
My daughter’s teacher had no idea what was happening. He didn’t know who was out there. He pushed the kids into the corner and stood in front of them. Ready to give his life for theirs.
These people are heroes.
When I picked up the girls from the elementary school, I found out the same thing had happened there.
Deep breaths. One. Two. Three.
Another one of my daughters described how they went into the cubby room and she held the hand of the friend across from her while two friends on each side of her snuggled in. They all grabbed coats and covered their bodies for extra protection.
As she recounted her experience, it took everything for me to not break down.
Deep breaths. One. Two. Three.
For a few minutes that day – my daughters, their classmates, the teachers and the staff believed there was a chance their lives, and the lives of their loved ones, may be taken from them.
And then, on Sunday, I awoke to the news that not far from our house – four innocent people’s lives were taken at a Waffle House.
The killer was still on the loose.
I contemplated not going to church. Not sending my kids to school. What if that drill becomes a reality? What if?
And then I was reminded of what I am reminded of so often, I cannot live my life in fear. I cannot teach my children to live their lives in fear.
I have to be brave. We have to be brave.
We have to remain positive.
There are so many more good people than bad in the world.
I need to remember that. We need to remember that.
Thank you to all of you heroes out there.
Thank you to the school workers who go through these drills with the knowledge that someday it may not be a drill.
Thank you to the police officers who rush into these situations, ready to save lives – and possibly give their own.
These people are heroes.
Thankfully, there are so many more heroes out there than bad guys. This is what I hope to teach my children. This very possibly may not be the only time they hear the words, “We are on lockdown. This is not a drill.”
I hope it is, but it may not be.
Deep breaths. One. Two. Three.
Thank you, God, for these drills so that if the moment comes, these heroes know what to do. Thank you, God, for surrounding us with so many people who are willing to take action. Thank you, God, for those who are willing to surrender their lives to save the lives of others.
Thank you, God, for surrounding us with so many heroes.
Thank you to the heroes in both of my children’s schools last Thursday. You did not know what was outside of your doors and you were ready to protect. To possibly give your lives – for my children.
Thank you. From the very bottom of my heart and with all of my being – Thank you.
