I have the privilege of having two parents who are retired teachers. My brother and sister-in-law are also teachers. My wife also has educators on her side of the family, including her sister, sister-in-law, and both nieces. They are remarkable people, all of them. They deserve all of my praise and more. I called my parents on Friday to talk to them about the shootings. They did quite a bit to comfort me.
I'm very lucky to have them. I always have been. There are so many incredible teachers in this world. I've been so fortunate to have two of them raise me. I've also had the privilege of having other incredible teachers in my life raise me and educate me. I've been thinking a lot about them as well.
I've had so many different feelings of despair, anger, love, fear, just like all of you. I can't begin to tell you how to feel or react in the coming days. I'm right there with all of you in going through this. I've never hugged my 15 month old daughter tighter than when I came home from work Friday. But I can't wait to hug my parents when I see them in a week. And it brings me to complete tears trying to imagine what kind of loss those parents of those children lost, as well as the loved ones of those teachers lost are having to go through for the holidays and beyond. My deepest thoughts and prayers are with them all.
The only thing I ask any of you who have friends/loved ones who are teachers, or who have children attending school - consider taking a moment tomorrow to thank those incredible teachers. They deserve our praise and gratitude.
I know there are many hard political and moral questions that need to be asked, discussed, and to take action with this horrific tragedy. Again, I'll be right there in those discussions, and I'll do my part to push towards the right action needed. But I just want to focus my energy tonight on thanking those teachers that have effected my life in such a wonderful, powerful way.
Happy Holidays to everyone.