There is a bridge here in town.
The Graffiti Bridge.
There is always some sort of message spray painted on the bridge, hence its nickname.
Congratulations Seniors.
Go Bobcats.
Every couple of months the message changes.
Except for the current one.
The current message has been there for a year.
Because this bridge is approximately 10 minutes from where the Sandy Hook shootings took place.
Every day, I drive under this bridge.
Last month, as I drove Number 3 to school and we passed under the bridge, he told me,
Mom! We had an emergency drill yesterday and we all got hiding places and I got to hide in the closet with H and it was so awesome!
I thought of him, cluelessly hiding in the closet.
I wondered how many more years he had until he realized why he was really hiding in there.
And I used all my strength to hold down the lump I felt rising up in my throat.
Two weeks ago after I picked up Number 5 from preschool, and I asked her “How was your day?”, and she answered me with,
Mommy! We got to play hide and seek today! We all hid in the corner of the room! And we turned the lights off! And Mrs. N had to come find us. And it was so. much. fun!”,
I drove under the bridge.
I looked at those hearts, and thought of my sweet little 4-year-old, huddled in the corner of her classroom.
And, the tears started flowing.
I couldn’t stop them this time.
While my heart undoubtedly goes out to the families of the 26 initials inside those hearts,
my heart also goes out to the teachers who take care of my kids.
To the teachers who take care of all of our kids.
To the teachers who hold their shit together through those drills.
I have no idea how you do it.
Screw the testing.
And screw the report cards.
Today, on the one year anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy,
thank you for keeping my children happy,
thank you for keeping them safe,
and most importantly,
thank you for allowing my children to maintain their innocence.
This holiday season, that is the greatest gift I could possibly hope for.
And while this is completely insufficient, thank you for all that you do.
Peace be with you always, but especially today.
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Thank you for your post. I’ve been thinking about the children and teachers this morning and I feel
So very sad for the families. It is heartbreaking. I am so thankful for the teachers who take care of our children.
Thank you. I am a music teacher in a neighboring district and your words are helping me process the gravity of today and the painful memories from last year.
I work in a local school district, and it is very hard when the drills happen, as I too think of everyone in Sandy Hook. I wonder if it ever comes down to it and we are faced with the same situation, how do we keep the kids, especially the Special needs kids (with whom I work) quiet? How do we keep them occupied IN PLACE for so long? what IF it happens at our school? I also think, what IF it happens at my kid’s school, and I can’t be there as my school will most likely be in lockdown? What iIF it happens in my school, and my kids Know it? I carry my cellphone on me everyday, just in case. We all think about Sandy Hook everyday. Spread some kindness. be Kind.
Amen…(grabbing tissues)
Ty
Great post, Susie. I live in the town next to Newtown and my kids have been having those drills since last December. I thank G-d that they know what to do should there be an unspeakable emergency in their schools, but I still can’t believe that we live in a world where our kids need to learn to hide and be absolutely quiet, and then get back to work when the drill is over. The district lets the parents know when the drills are coming because there are still kids who don’t want to be in school for them. Hopefully with time (and some better mental health services and gun laws), violence in school will be a thing of the past. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing our special bridge with the world. I am glad that the next generation has left the message for Newtown up for a year. We will not forget.