I was on a walk with my mom in the past. I’m grateful for our heart-to-heart conversations.
“I’m getting a good amount of criticism for talking about the Sandy Hook shooting,” I said to my mom. “If you don’t want me to talk about it, I’ll never mention it to anyone again.”
I was seeking my mom’s counsel on this because she taught some of the 6 and 7-year-old kids who were brutally killed on that unthinkable day. She was at the school the morning of the shooting and, by chance, left shortly before the shooter arrived.
“Why are you talking about the Sandy Hook shooting?” my mom asked me.
“Well, the event was a turning point for me in some ways, and I was thinking it could be a reminder for others to move forward,” I said. “I want to remind people that life is short – not in a motivational ‘kumbaya’ kind of way, but in a real, practical way. You never know what day is going to be your last. I thought talking about it might be a great way to honor the memory of those who were shot. Also, I used to judge others in all the worst ways, but after your students were killed, I decided to completely stop judging others. I realized that destructively judging people usually doesn’t help them in any way.”
“If you say it like THAT, it’s OK for you to share this,” my mom said. “Just make sure you explain it to people.”
Eight years ago today this shooting occurred.
We can’t change it. As painful as this is to say, it is what it is. It happened. I, like many others, would do anything to change what happened on that day, but as far as I know, there are no time machines that have been invented. I can’t even imagine what the parents and families of those lost are going through.
To honor the memory of those lives lost, let’s make the most of each day. Live today like it’s your last.
Respectfully,
Jeff Davis
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