… And Everybody’s Changed
I just spent the last 30 minutes with a six year old. Not unusual. I’m a principal. What was unusual about the visit is that I wasn’t disciplining him because he stuck his tongue out at the cute girl in the next desk or couldn’t keep his little body in his seat. I wasn’t high-fiving him because he did a great job on his story about carving pumpkins. I was trying to console his sweet little soul because his aunt was shot two days ago in a drive by. She’s laying in a hospital on life support with a bullet lodged in her brain. Little chance of survival. My little friend came to me because he’s afraid it’s going to happen to him.
Shots fired. Trauma delivered. More than once this week. The day after the shooting one of our school busses took three bullets toward the end of its daily route. Two adults and a child were still on a bus that just happened to get in the way of a bit of an argument between two cars carrying angry kids with steel grey death in their hands. The rumor on the streets is that this particular “Hatfields and the McCoys” has just begun.
How do you help a six year old feel safe who knows that walking through his neighborhood means putting his life on the line? I told him that when people we love have bad things happen to them, it is normal to worry that it might happen to us as well. I made him close his eyes and picture a big bubble all the way around him. (He said it was blue… and shiny.) I told him this was the principal’s bubble of protection and that, although invisible, it wrapped around him to help keep him safe. I told him that he would have questions, and want to talk, and that he could come to see me any time. He hugged me…. and held my hand and I walked him back to class. Then I returned to my office, shut the door, and sobbed.
The innocent trust of a six year old. When does it change? When does the trauma get to be frequent enough.. or deep enough… that such an event becomes “just another drive by” or “just another dead girl?” When do we lose the ability to be empathetic with another person? To trust? TO CARE THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY KILL AN INNOCENT CHILD WHEN SHOOTING A GUN IN THE VICINITY OF A SHOOL BUS? Shots fired…. and everybody’s changed.
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Oh my gosh! This made me cry…..broke my heart!
I could sooooo see you telling this little boy about the bubble. You always did have that gift.
I’m so humbled that God gave YOU to ME as a big seester. You always made (make) everything better.
Don’t you wish that the worst thing today’s children would have to worry about was that silly Kmart slipper!
It left no permanent damage!
I LOVE YOU PAST HEAVEN AND BACK, and I’m glad that little guy saw you as the same “safety net” that I do!
What a dreadful story and one I am familiar with. I teach high school and every time there is a Columbine or Paduca incident I get cold chills for the kids. In our schools population…there is that potential everyday….and how do you answer the questions when it hits home. Thank you for sharing your amazing story in this post. Jacki said it would be bone chilling and it was.
God has blessed us richly by keeping you in our lives. He knew that he needed you here to minister to His children!
I love you,
B
Thank you for being there for him. Thank goodness the city of St. Joseph’s
What a sad day! My granddaughter knows this lady’s son…my heart goes out to her family.
The Lord put you where you are now, for just this reason…..to be there for the children. God bless and stay strong and stay put!!!