What happened in Florida is yet another story that just has zero explanation is senseless. All day today I was trying so hard to understand why these events happen and occur far too often. I am in dismay……confused……..upset…….and feel no tolerance for the folks who commit these crimes…..and make innocent good people and kids suffer. In fact, the entire country suffers and as parents we are now more aware of personal safety for our children and truly anyone. There have been 18 school shooting since the beginning of the year (roughly 3 per week). 16,000 crimes are performed each day of the year at schools all around the country. It is sad to say that many of these crimes involve some type of violence.

I am the furthest thing from being tough, but 911 totally changed my awareness when I get on a plane. I fly quite a bit and always keep a strong self-awareness for my space and those around me. Why you ask…….even I wonder why??? Well, I figure I just need to pay attention at all times to what is around me for the sake of others and myself. Israel does this for all the people who live there all year long…..keeping military people all over……constantly anticipating………listening…..and watching. Self-awareness for yourself and others seems to be a hot topic as the world becomes a more complicated place. It is sad that we can’t open the front door and leave it unlocked……or let the kids run down the street alone………or run to a neighbor’s house just a few feet away. We are forced as a country to feel fear……..worry……and watch at all times and face uncertainty right directly in are eyes.

Well, this article today is in honor of those that died in Florida…..those that died in similar situations in the past……and to those that are innocent and stricken with such violence.

Today I sleep in fear for what is outside of the doors I walk through every day for myself and for my kids. Let today be another constant reminder to watch what is around you for yourself and those that you care about. Love your kids……your friends……and pray for those who were impacted directly today. We all were……but the families of each of these victims feel pain that is equally as violent as the pain their loved ones endured today. What an awful day……and we must all move forward…… and create comfort for those around us. I am hopeful today begins the necessary change we need to protect kids in any school. We don’t need anymore stories like this to ever happen again! Most importantly, we need to re-evaluate the gun laws and protect the people of our country.