10 years

I know this has now passed, but for me it is just as fresh as if it were yesterday. Here are some of my pictures from going home to Colorado for the 10th Anniversary of the Columbine shooting. For me, it felt so good to be there- it helped me see that we can all heal and move on in our lives, never forgetting that fateful day 10 years ago.
Sunday night was a candelight vigil at the Columbine Memorial in Clement Park. This is one of my favorite places to go and reflect on life.













Monday morning the alumni who had been at the school during the shooting was invited to a breakfast at the school and it was so good to see everyone and talk to them and see what they have accomplished in their lives. How touching it was to feel that unity as Mr. Moore began the We Are.... Columbine shout. I couldn't make it through without the tears flowing. Truly after that day, I will always be part Columbine.

Monday evening was the memorial at Clement Park. Fitting that both of the events took place in that park, as that is the location I ran to that day after leaving the school. There were some speakers who said some neat things and they also release doves for the 13 killed and some for the 25 that were injured that day.
There were a few comments that especially touched me, in addition to being there with members of my family.
Dawn Anna, a mother of Lauren Townsend who was killed that day said, "We will honor you be being honorable."
Mr Andres spoke to Mr. DeAngelis (our principal) and said to him: it is because of you that we are still Columbine.
Mr. DeAngelis quoted both Ernest Hemingway and Patrick Ireland (for those of you who don't know- he is "Columbine's boy in the window"):
the world breaks everyone and then we are stronger in broken places. -Ernest Hemingway
I am not a victim I am a victor. -Patrick Ireland

Jake didn't get a chance to make the trip with me. If I could do it over again, I would have taken him. I think that being there would have helped him to understand how much a part of me Columbine is. But, being the sweet husband he is, he sent me flowers. Listening to people speak, and being there with some of my nieces and nephews made me think of my future children and the lessons I have learned from Columbine. Never forgotten. And the remembrance of that day will always be a part of my life and my children- I want them to learn what I did without having to go through that experience. It has made me a stronger person and I have no doubt that my experiences that day weren't just for me, but for my family and my future family.