She tries her best to be strong. Tears fall anyway. Looking around the courtroom, she explains to devastated parents how their children died. Fighting hard not to let her spirit die as well. She rattles off their names, then stops, and looks at the defendant… He’s her student too. She sees both the quiet boy with the sweet smile and the mass murderer carrying a semi-automatic rifle. The system failed him. More tears fall. Her grief is all-inclusive: Her lost students. Their families. This boy’s ruined future. The end of her teaching career. Her lifelong dream, reduced to a nightmare.
5/8/2022 04:30:50 pm
It used to be that only our young men and women returning from the devastation of war would suffer PTSD. Now, it's almost becoming commonplace for teachers. Nicely done, Alyce.
Sue Clayton
6/8/2022 06:10:48 am
So many teachers seem to be losing their life-long dreams to mass shootings. I also like how this story recognizes the perpetrator, evil as his deed may be, as one of her lost students.
Cassie
6/8/2022 06:36:23 am
In my prayers,I pray for the families from each side. It didn't say love your good neighbor but love. your neighbor.
Peggy Gerber
6/8/2022 03:35:49 pm
There are so many if onlys. If only there weren’t bullying, if only he got help for his mental health, if only it were harder to get a gun. Very powerful story.
Martha J
8/8/2022 07:16:25 pm
This story reminds us of the tragedies that
Alyce Clark
11/8/2022 04:33:21 pm
Thank you very much for your comments. Like Peggy, I find myself thinking if only... So much heartache for everyone involved. Comments are closed.
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