As I sit here and write these words, I'm fully aware that the sentences I type won't include all the answers that our nation so desperately craves. I wish I had them. But right now I don't know what to tell my own children. Another school shooting. As of the time of my writing, 19 children are dead. 19 kids who were looking forward to the end of the school year. 19 kids who were no doubt dreaming of summer vacation. 19 families who now have to plan funerals instead of a staycation. 19.

So what happens now? You'll hear both sides of the political aisle spout the usual talking points, and yes, you'll have your thoughts and prayers. But what are the real chances of anything substantial happening that just might prevent something horrible like this from happening again? Perhaps it is my jaded old age kicking in, but I fear it is near zero. The real sadness when our country faces a crisis like this is that our government seemingly lacks the ability to come together and work to make life safer for our children.

And despite what each side will tell you, the answer isn't as simple as 'more guns' or 'fewer guns'. It is far more nuanced than that. There isn't a quick fix bill in Congress that can shore up all the deeply embedded problems that this country currently suffers from. I wish it were that easy. I would love to see politicians from both sides of the aisle come together and introduce some sort of bi-partisan effort that addresses school shootings, knowing it won't completely cure the issue. But to stand by and do nothing makes us complicit, and I can't handle that feeling anymore.

In the meantime, hug your children. Do whatever you need to to keep them safe. And as this school year comes to an end, rejoice in their accomplishments and help them understand how precious life is. How lucky they are they get to move on to the next grade.

Unlike the 19.

 

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