Angry, bitter, resentful are always choices. The sun is setting on May 9 for the 15th time since 5/10/05. The last of the Four Days in May begins about 6:00 am tomorrow. Six hours will tic away by the hour, then the minute, and then the final painful seconds. I'll see each opportunity we had to change destiny fifteen years ago; they will come and go untaken again.
We fear potential consequences when we see our children making dangerous choices. We fear possible outcomes when we contemplate our reactions to those choices. As bad as we imagine things could be, we do not come close to grasping the ruthlessness of finality compounded by time. Time heals nothing. The reality of the atrocity combined with time wears down resistance. The pain of fighting against what can not be defeated doesn't cease to be. Pain is the reward for having fought and lost, and more or less lived. I tip my hat to those who fight for the lives of their children.
We say we will do anything for our children. Will we? Will you stand against your friends, the educators, the coaches, community leaders who tell you you're wrong, you're overreacting? Will you confront the parents who facilitate reckless choices? Will you change your preferences that contribute to the tragedy brewing? What will you give up to save a child's life? Be prepared to hold yourself to your answer. You're going to fight the battle alone. And you will never know that you succeeded, but you will know you if you don't.
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