All across the nation, many schools and colleges celebrate Spring Break. For a lot of us, we are on break this week. This break, might be the most looked forward to because, for teachers, this is our last long break until the end of the school year. This is our last long break before the long haul to the end! And, for many of us teachers, it is a long haul to the end: state testing, final assessments, final IEPs, final Triennials, final progress reports and grade reports, and just generally wrapping things up. We use this break to get ready. For most teachers, we use this break to get work done (yes we work), rest (maybe), emotionally gear up (most definitely), and prepare (always). But, unfortunately, for some teachers, they will use this break to grieve!
The recent school shooting in Florida reminds us of just how precarious life can be. I am a grandmother of ten, and I pray for my grandbabies daily. Not just for mine, but for all students across this nation. Eight of my ten are still in school. Eight of my ten say their goodbyes to their parents in the morning with the expectation of saying their hellos in the afternoons/evenings. But, for seventeen families in Parkland, Florida, there were no hellos in the afternoon. For seventeen other families, they will have a scar for life to remind them of what happened that ominous day. For the rest of the school, they will carry memories of that fateful day. So, spring break for them resonates with more then just Easter egg hunts, candy, baskets, and bunnies.
As we set aside protests and marches, and take a break from fighting for gun control, as we draw closer to Easter Sunday, I write this post as a source of comfort for all those who have experienced gun violence in some form or fashion. Not just in schools, but in colleges, in neighborhoods, and across this nation. Whether you are a teacher or a parent, a para-educator or a nurse, a principal or a counselor, a coach or an advisor, an aunt or an uncle, a friend or an acquaintance, all have been affected. My prayer is that you let the true reason why Easter is celebrated resonate in your hearts, minds, and souls. That is where you will find comfort.
Take a moment, a silent moment, to pray. Pray for the 17 families in Parkland Florida who lost a loved one, pray for the 17 families, whose children were injured, pray for the rest of the students and staff, and pray for the shooter and his family. Pray for the 7,000 pairs of shoes that were lined up in front of the Capital building to represent children killed by gun violence in the United States since the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012. Pray for all of the other senseless killings that have occurred throughout this Nation and the families involved. Then take a moment, a silent moment, to reflect; are you doing your part? Or, are you standing idly by, waiting/ hoping for someone else to fight, to stand, to protest, to make a difference.
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” I pray that you will enjoy your Easter Break, your family, and your time away. Then come back ready to let your voice be heard.