For not actually doing something sooner. For becoming numb to this type of news. For not voting out these shmucks that don’t give a DAMN about our families – and don’t get me started down the rabbit hole of where to place the blame. Both mainstream parties have repeatedly failed us in our lifetimes, and the fact that any of you continue to defend them is egregious. When we can’t get immediate action from people whose comfy lives we fund with our tax dollars (who aren’t even debating the issue at the state/federal office levels at this time), the time has come to SEND THEM PACKING.

If you want to make a change, start in areas we have the most control over. First and foremost, GO GIVE BLOOD (and platelets, and plasma) – we tend to forget that so many people need something we take for granted every single day. Next, go through the fundraisers that will help the people affected the most and give 5 bucks… or 50. Then, seriously give thought to where your child current attends school (or where you’re planning on sending them), and evaluate the measures taken by those in leadership to both educate AND protect your children. If they don’t exceed your expectations, show how you prioritize your family by making a difficult change and get them out of there.

Speaking from experience – homeschooling is nowhere near as hard / complicated / confusing as people make it out to be. Depending on the state you reside in, it may be even easier than you think (take NC for example, where any child can try out for sports at public/private schools like I did). If you want to make a serious inquiry into how it all works, please message me and ask. I would rather abandon my current work and invest my time in helping our families grow in the safest structure we can possibly provide for them – instead of maintaining the status quo where the end result is not even CLOSE to the one that any of us want.

The more important factor in creating change (outside of our homes) is A) encouraging those who have our best interests in mind to RUN for office (whether that be the school board, local office, PTA, etc etc) and then B) taking the time and effort to get these impassionate people out of their comfortable offices where they mock us by sending their thoughts and prayers.

I know I don’t have the right words to say to those who are impacted the most by issues such as these, but I hope that by enough of us raising our voices – that true change can happen to reduce as many of these unthinkable tragedies as we possibly can.