The Last Goodbye

The Last Goodbye

 

I can only image the parents and love ones of the 17 victims in Parkland, FL. I watched the videos popping up on Facebook. I see the news stations reporting about who they were. They were football coaches, athletes, idea students, husbands, daughters, and sons. My heart skipped a beat. I started thinking this is happening a day after Valentine’s Day.

Picture the parent dropping their child off to high school. It’s a normal day and they are rushing to the drop off curb. Normal conversation. You got your homework? Don’t forget I’ll be here to pick you up at 2:15pm!  Car stops and their child gets out. Hopefully the words were uttered “I Love You”.

On the other side of town, the spouses are getting ready for work. Giddy about the Valentine’s Day dinner, she is thanking him for the beautiful roses, and a kiss on the lips as he walks out the door to go to work at the high school. His little girl ran to the window to wave bye to her Daddy. The words trail off each of their lips “I Love You”.

The day is going normal until he gets out of the Uber car. I don’t think anyone uttered the words to him in a while “I Love You”. He is on a mission. One that within three minutes will change 17 people’s lives. One that will change 200 students and faculty forever.  One where bullets spray the schools and snuff out lives. Parents loss their babies. The apple of their eyes. Their legacies. The school is on a lockdown. Teachers are yelling for the students to get in the classrooms. Lock the doors. Get on the floor. Be quiet! He pulled the fire alarm so the doors opened. All you hear is the gun going off! Screams! Chaos! Turmoil!

As parents pull up to pick up their kids this is all unfolding! Children are calling their parents who feel helpless! Video camera start filming! Police are on their way! It’s too late! Everyone hoping that all are safe and no one is hurt. They got him! The list is read of those that are gone!

All are saying their last goodbye!

Submitted by

Patricia A. Saunders

Blogger, Poet, Author 

www.patriciaAsaunders.com

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