The morning started on a great note, for me. The wife and I loading up presents for 40 kids and a Christmas party, later in the evening. We picked up food and I dropped her and the goodies off at the site. I had to come back home for a good part of the day. When I got home I made the mistake of turning on the tv. I didn't get much of anything done, that I was going to do as I listened and watched the terrible story play out.
I went back to the party site a bit early and absorbed as much of the atmosphere as I could get. I nice tree decorated by a group of the kids. I nice fire going. A few tables of some great food and kids having a great time being kids.
Once we were ready to eat, we had a prayer that will stay with me for a great while, I'm sure. We ate and the minister lured the kids out side to show them his new toy. A laser pointer that can reach a few miles away. This held their, and my, attention long enough for Santa to sneak into his chair. All of the kids, and a few of the grown-up kids had a nice meeting with the old elf and received a present and a big hug.
There were moments when I got caught up in the laughing and taking pictures of goings-on that I lost track of the numbness I had all afternoon. As the party wound down, I felt blessed to have been there.
Speaking of there, I should maybe expand of where this was taking place.
The party took place at a sportsman's league which my wife and I are members of. My wife has been a member of this club since she was a child.
Most of the children, the party was for, are also members of the club. These kids compete in archery, pistols, rifles, shotguns, casting(rod and reels casting at targets on the water) .
They are trained in hunter safety and hunting and processing, camping and wilderness survival, and in the safe storage and handling of firearms. They have camp-outs, camp fires, they've had gardens and various other group activities, including kitchen detail for a Thanksgiving dinner which is free and open to the community.
These kids are around guns regularly and they carry a very good level of responsibility in their daily lives.
Is it possible that one of these kids could at some point do something similar to what happened at the school? I have to admit that it could be possible.
It could also be possible that they could, at some point, protect someone's child if they carry on into law enforcement or security, as has, sometimes, been the case from this group. One of which grew up with my wife and was lead security when Joe walked the line of fans after playing at Rupp Arena in Lexington this past May. Joe may remember the big ol guy named Patrick, or maybe not. I call him Cuddles which drives him nuts
Sorry to go on so long. I found it difficult not to respond to this thread and to the tragic events, but I felt it only proper that I should point out that I regularly support a group who train youth and adults in the responsible use of firearms.
"what's the point of race cars, rocket ships and rock and roll?"