a Parent's worse nightmare

This is dedicated to the victims of the Robb School Shooting.

Standing outside the school

not having been on social media

but busy with errands

and now it was time to get the kid.

Wanting to hear his laughter

and see how his day went

as i stand with

two or three other parents.

All of us dealing with child chatter,

as kids say goodbye to one another

until morning

excitement rippling through

their little bodies knowing that

summer is just days away.

Then I look up sensing an urgency,

from somewhere deep inside me,

I hug my child and whisper

"i love you"

walking hand in hand away.

Still feeling that same urgency,

i send my 20 year old a text

"stay safe baby girl, momma loves you"

before calling my soon to be 9th grader

asking where are you?

Phone put away for the moment

talking to my doctor before readying to leave,

I hear a buzz ..... its from the kid teacher but why?

something serious? must be .......

and tears form silently dripping down as eyes close.

NOT ANOTHER ONE DAMN IT......

the dreaded words telling me what i

already knew and felt ....

the pain of parents hoping their child is safe.....

of not knowing .....

the grief of losing your child to violence.

We send our children to school- no matter their age - to learn.

Not to DIE.

My heart grieves for the families of those that were killed and/or injured.

Rest In Paradise

Irma Garcia (teacher), Amerie Jo Garza (10) Eva Mireles (teacher), Xavier Lopez (10), Uziyah Garcia(10),Jose Flores Jr.(10), Lexi Rubio(10), Tess Marie Mata(10), Nevaeh Alyssa Bravo(10),Eliana ‘Ellie’ Garcia (9),Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez and Jacklyn Jaylen Cazares (cousins and both 10), Jailah Nicole Silguero (10), and Eliahana ‘Elijah’ Cruz Torres (10).