You're safe.......

How do you tell a child that their friend is gone? How do you tell anyone for that matter? Tomorrow this will be done over and over again. Tomorrow 12, 13 and 14 year olds that heard the word "leukemia" only a few weeks ago will learn that this "word" has taken the life of their classmate. Many will come to school already knowing the news. Stories travel fast and after the announcement is made during first period, all will know. The words "extra counselors will be on site and available" will come to life. A "safe room" will be made available. Plans for 8th Grade Banquet and Graduation should, and were, being made. This plan wasn't "ours".

So tomorrow we have to be adults. We have to steer the children in a safe direction. We have to keep the privacy of a grieving family intact. You just want to scoop these kids all up in your arms and say "You're safe; this really sucks and I'm so sorry your hurting." But that's not exactly the way things have to be done these days. Too much legal water has gone under the bridge. Personal feelings are overshadowed by professional guidelines. "Let the professionals handle it" is the mantra. There will be concerned parents calling to know if their child is O.K. Heck, I don't know if I'm O.K.

So please stop and say a little prayer tomorrow for a grieving family and school. Pray that the "adults" will handle all of this in a compassionate way to help these students deal with a tough dose of life. Pray that all will know and feel "You're safe; this really sucks and I'm so sorry your hurting."