It took me a little while before I could sit down and actually write about yesterday. But the day started out with a high note, for those of us that are long time Vikings fans as it was announced that Adam Thielen (#19) would be coming back to his hometown team. Not that one person makes a team but those of us long time hope-filled fans any little bit of positive news adds to the vision of end of the year celebrations in the form of world champions.
As quickly as that news broke social media, a somber blurb came across indicating that there was a mass shooting at Annunciation Church in south Minneapolis. First news indicated 2 children were dead and 17 other injured. All of a sudden the Vikings were just a game and life had smacked square up in the face!
Having gone to Catholic Church grades 1-12, I understand what had gathered these kids together on a beautiful almost Fall morning. Catholic schools always started before Labor Day….as we trekked off to school in our spanking new uniforms, our public school friends were still enjoying sleeping in and State Fair visits. It seemed that it was a couple of days before we had our full school “welcome back to school” Mass. But that would be the morning that the full school would go to the chapel or church and join together for this “opening ceremony” of Mass together. It was as if this Mass was the official start of the new school year. And not only did all of the classes join together, but all of the teachers and staff…back then the teachers were outnumbered by nuns! Sometimes even some parents would join the school in this yearly celebration.
(So I understand that Annunciation Church was probably filled to close to capacity.) As a student sitting in the pews, some of us were paying attention and some of us were letting our minds wander or snickering with our best friend next to us. We were not showing disrespect, we were just being kids. I imagine a similar atmosphere was in this same church. After all, these are kids….KIDS…somewhat numb to the real world. And then that yearly celebration was riddled by the sound of bullets. Wait!!! Bullets??? No they must have thought for a second that some prankster decided to light off a firework in the church — they would be going to the principal’s office for sure!!! But within seconds, the kids knew something was very wrong!!! And their training (they train on emergency situations like this…so sad!!) kicked in and many fell to the floor with even some getting on top of others to shield them. For some that training did not kick in fast enough!! And that led to kids experiencing the pain of a bullet wound…something adults should not experience let along KIDS!!
I remember from our Catholic teachings that Jesus loved the children. Part of me wants to say but if you love them, why didn’t you protect them! And he did protect some…we do have to remember that!
Thinking about this incident I can only count our blessings with our 3 kids and 5 grandkids! They have all experienced their own bumps in the road, but nothing in comparison to this horrible incident. I find I don’t get tears much these days as I did when I was younger. But this was definitely the exception! Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, Aunts, Uncles, Friends, other Family are now experiencing a pain that can never be explained or forgotten. We can only keep them in our thoughts and prayers! Figure out what we can do to stop this!! Figure out how we can help!! Give donations…give blood! Hug those around you and be thankful every day.
The biggest incident we had to deal with in school was when a naked man came out of the park next to our school and started walking towards the school. Believe me, the nuns went nuts!! That should be the level of school crazy experience that our kids should have! As a parent of a kid right now, it must be haunting as you send your kids off to school. Stay strong and be there to answer any questions your kids have. Talk to a professional if needed. Our kids should be able to enjoy their safe places and know they are ok in that environment.
I don’t know the answers. Some say gun control. Some say shooters background. Not one thing is the answer…all may be the answer… but we as a nation need to find and fix it now!!
Stay safe! Hug others! Pray for guidance!
Dandy Ventures 