Reflection of Today....

On the way to school this morning, I really, really wanted to call my dad.  I wanted to talk with him about the fact that I was getting ready to drive up to a school and that there should be no doubt in my mind that I was safe- but more importantly, that all the children in my care were safe.  I wanted to talk to him and tell him how unfair it is that sweet innocent children were killed by the hands of a disturbed individual.  I wanted to tell him that my heart was heavy from the tragedy that occurred just days before in a town I'd never heard of, at a school I'd never heard of, and the names of the victims I'd never heard of.  I realized that I had tears streaming down my face..... boy I miss my dad.

Then I had a thought- yesterday a dear friend, Amy, "challenged" her friends to pray for a specific family of one of the victims.  We were probably all praying for "the families", but Amy's idea was to lift the family up by name.  So several people responded to Amy and selected a particular victim's family to pray for.  I choose Dawn Hochsprung, the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School.  I prayed for Dawn's husband, her children, her grandchildren, other family and friends before I went to sleep last night and as soon as I awoke today.  Driving down the road, I had the most incredible thought- "what if my dad met up with Dawn and they had a chat?"  My dad would love to talk to Dawn- the vibrant young educator who took on the task of being a principal.  He would love to hear her trials- but most of all- her successes.  He would look at her and proudly tell her that his daughter was an educator, too.  What a great thought that was- although I miss my dad every single day, knowing that he is at peace and without a shadow of a doubt in Heaven and met some sweet angels  and their incredibly brave teachers, behavior therapist, school psychologist, and principal on Friday.

While I miss my dad, I realized that I had no reason to give myself a "pity-party".  I was getting ready to walk through the doors of a wonderful school with the brightest, sweetest, most caring students in the world.  I knew that I would be greeted with smiles and pats on the back from co-workers.  I knew that parents would come by and say "hi" and the many volunteers would be there to do whatever needed to be done.  I was reassured that the forward-thinking Superintendent had secured police presence for each school in the district.  While I never anticipated a day that I would "need" police presence, it was good to know it were there.  I smiled when the police officer introduced himself and then told me that he was the parent of one of the first graders at the school.  I immediately saw his features represented in a sweet little boy's face and could tell him what a cutie his son is. I told him that I could have police presence every day, all day, by the law-enforcement parents of our students alone.  What a blessing that is, too.  The feeling of anguish over the horrific event still sat (and sits) in the pit of my stomach, but I had to gain perspective and realize the gifts I have been given in each and every body that walked through the school doors.  It was up to the adults of our school to model to the students that they were safe at school.  We did just that- and that's another blessing.  We were given a gift today- a day without incident and where children thrived in a safe learning environment.  Thank God for this!

I have been asked by several people in the last few days what I think schools could do to make them more safe.  Interestingly enough, my response is something that will make our world much safer- we need to get right with God!  We need to be a nation in prayer and doing as He wills us to do.  I know that we don't necessarily discuss religion in school, but I know that His presence is at the school where I work.  I am blessed to work with devoted Christians and I believe that we do lift each other up in prayer.  I do not doubt for an instant that every employee at "my" school would risk his/her life trying to protect any harm from coming to our students.  I don't think any amount of security precautions could have stopped what occurred- but I know we have them in place and our students know them, too.  We will continue to practice and think "safety", but more than that, I will pray and encourage others to pray.

Tonight "The Voice" (which I do not watch- a post about reality shows to come soon- but someone posted the clip on YouTube) did a touching tribute to the victims of Sandy Hook.  Seeing the ages of the children- just babies- was heart-wrenching.  Dad- take care of those babies and all of you in Heaven please look out for us.  We still have lots of work to do- let it be pleasing to Him!