This picture was taken in 2008
Wow, time sure has a way of getting away from us doesn't it? There have been SO many things I have thought about and meant to blog about over the last few months! All the way from the shooting in Connecticut, at Sandy Hook, to the race I ran in January in temperatures, I never thought I'd be out in, on purpose, let alone FOR a purpose!
So, since I am reminiscing back to the shooting, let me start with some thoughts of that incident.
For some, and probably for most, the "school shooting" was simply a huge tragedy! But for some of us, especially those of us who work in the schools, and around these special souls who are simply in children's bodies at their current state, it was SO much more than a tragedy! I was first alerted to the shooting event the day of, about a half hour or so after the shootings had taken place. I have internet on my phone, and was checking my Facebook as we sat down for lunch. A friend of mine who lives in Georgia, had posted a prayer going out to all those affected by the shooting at the elementary school..."WHAT THE HECK?" was my first thought. Then upon further investigation I found out the ugly truth about what was unfolding before our nations eyes!!! Holy crap!!! Remember now, that I work in an elementary school! With a BUNCH of these beautiful spirits in small peoples bodies!!! I was just now preparing to serve them a hot lunch and send them all out to play and enjoy a recess! I have never served a harder lunch, save ONE!
It was the spring, almost summer of 2008, West Point Junior high. Megan was in 9th grade that year, and Ford was in 7th grade. It was the day the 9th grade students were suppose to be heading to Lagoon, for the 9th grade Lagoon day.... A day neither I nor my children will ever forget!!!
I was working at Sunset Jr High at the time, and we had a radio that we listened to everyday. Over the airwaves came a news report of the "LOCK DOWN" at West Point Jr High school...."Holy cow...that is my kids school...that can't be right....nothing EVER happens in West Point Utah!!!
Megan had gotten a cell phone for her birthday that year, and I will never forget the call I received from her that morning!
"Mom? I don't know what to do.... we are hiding in the bathroom, and SWAT is going through the halls...Mom? I'm scared and I don't know what to do, or where to go....please help me!!!"
Oh, MY..... Just typing out those words, that I still hear in my head...make tears run....I will NEVER forget that phone call! Nor the fact, that I had NO idea where Ford was or IF he was okay....
Fast forward to the current situation and the shooting that has now taken place at Sandy Hook Ele..... I am having a conversation with Ford about what has taken place.....
Now, years later is when I learn what HE remembers of that fateful "LOCK DOWN" for him......
He had a teacher, Mr. Leak. (Mr Mark Leak). When the lock down went into effect, this was the class Ford was in.
Megan was hiding in a bathroom and called me to find out what she should do...I told her to go to the nearest classroom and stay there till the lock down was over. I had no idea about Ford! I was so worried! No calls were going into the school and I had no way of getting a hold of him! (which, by the way, is one reason why my kids have had a cell phone from that time since).
I finally found out from him, some of the things that went through his head on that terrifying morning....
The fear, not only for himself, but for his sister, who he knew was somewhere in that building.
The memory of an amazing teacher, who after getting the kids to the farthest corner from the door, turned HIS chair to face the door. Giving the students in his charge, the impression, that no matter what happened, he would be there to protect them! If even for a brief moment in time, they felt safe because he was willing to put himself between them and the door...harms way if you will. Now I only found this out, because of Sandy Hook. The events that took place, stirred all kinds of memories for the kids who had shared in that "LOCK DOWN" that day. All of the kids in Ford's class that day all remembered Mr Leak, being willing to position himself in a way to make his students feel safe! I cried more than once the day of the Sandy Hook shooting. Partly for the sad and senseless loss of life, but for the willingness, of those who chose the life of an educator, that goes so much farther than that of educator! Just as those adults who lost their lives at Sandy Hook that day proved! I have an admiration for them that will never dim!
There will be more to come in the way of catching up in the very near future. This one had to come first though, because it has been on my mind ever since that day!
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