She's Sherrie

Temporary Memorial in Parkland, Florida. Written by Dana, a Teacher, Somewhere USA. I communicated with Dana last night via Messenger and obtained her permission to copy her post.  We both feel that people should know what it is like to be students or teachers in the present state of gun violence on school campuses.  Please share this.  These are her words. Today in school, we practiced our active shooter lockdown. One of my first graders was scared, and I had to hold him. Today is his birthday. He kept whispering, "When will it be over?" into my ear. I kept responding "Soon" as I rocked him and tried to keep his birthday crown from stabbing me. I had a mix of 1-5 graders in my classroom because we have a million tests that need to be taken.  My fifth grader patted the back of the 2nd grader huddled next to him under a table.  A 3rd-grade girl cried silently and clutched the hand of her friend. The rest of the kids sat quietly (casket quiet) and stared a

Stuff During a six week period of time, my brother and a long-time friend had died.  One I was somewhat prepared for; the other was a total shock. The first four weeks were hell.  In the first two weeks, I had so much anger when my brother died that I pretty much just sat on the sofa.  Didn't eat much. didn't sleep much.  I had the TV on for distraction, but anything sad to the slightest degree would make me cry.  I had many phone calls to make and found it very difficult to speak without my voice quivering.  I understand that my feelings were attributed to leftover grief from my son's deaths and my mom a few years ago.  My family members, for some odd reason, are anti-grieving.  There was no discussion of sadness or feelings with them to ease my pain, so I am now dealing with all of my feelings.  I hate it.  Because I don't seem to have control over it.  I know it will fade in time, but for now, it sucks.  I'm referring to a family loss. Two weeks after my