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Year Two, Day 240: Kicking Darkness in the A*SS!




I woke up feeling energized this morning. Had a lovely breakfast of tea, and steel cut oatmeal.

Was feeling peaceful and strong.

Then I turned on the news. Breaking news. Another shooting.
This time at the airport in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/06/us/fort-lauderdale-airport-incident/index.html

My heart is racing.  Tears well up. I say a quick prayer.  It is becoming normal, yet each time there is a shooting, my awareness is heightened.  My feelings are raw. The "what ifs" bounce around in my head.  There were many people returning home after the holidays in airports all over our country. What if it had been one of my friends or family members?  I always take time to read the story and pray for the victims. We are all children of God here. If one is suffering, we all are. 

Today was the staff meeting at the music center where I teach.  It was a long meeting. Thankfully we only have one such meeting a year. It is why I have continued to teach there nearly 20 years!  Well, that and I love teaching music.  But, meetings...not my favorite past time!

We had a lot of information about policy and procudure.

We also had drills. One such drill was an "active shooter" drill.  I was not satisfied with this drill.  We merely talked about what Portland Police suggest during an active shooter situation: "Run, Hide, Fight!"

If an active shooter situation develops in our building, someone will trigger the alarm. A little musical bell. If we are in our classrooms, we are to lock the door, turn off the lights and tell our students to take cover.

There are a lot of ifs in this scenario. What if we do not hear the little "dingy" bell?  (It sounds like a doorbell. And hello! Students throughout the building will be playing music. Who will be able to make out the sound of a little dingy door bell? Sigh.)

Also, what if we are not in our classrooms. Perhaps walking in the hall?

I am a little fired up right now. But I long ago realized that as a piano teacher, my number one priority is not piano. That is the subject. My number one priority is the safety of the my students while they are in my charge.

I may be over reacting.  Last year when we first got information about an active shooter, we all kind of laughed nervously. I imagine many like me doubted that anyone would come into our music center with a gun.

But it is happening. Everywhere. And I do not want to live my life with my head in the sand. Like an ostrich. That is one ugly bird.  And stupid too!

So I fired off a letter to the director and staff at the music center. I actually did some research and found out the the Portland Police Bureau has an "Active Shooter Response Training".

Here is the link: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/71187

I am absolutely interested in attending this.

Aside from wanting to save my students, my children and the world, my day is going better than usual. Nothing like a cause to get my metabolism revved up!

Well, and a musical performance. The school musical that was cancelled last month due to snow was rescheduled for today.

It was lovely.  Kindergartners and second graders singing about saving our environment.

They gave me a bouquet of flowers after the performance.  Many happy families.  But my heart hurts for the people in Florida.

And everyone who has lost a loved one due to violence.

Life is so precious and short.  I really want to embrace the light and live in the moment.  But the darkness surrounds us.

Usually I block it out. Sleep too much.  Focus on my own little issues.  But if there is a way I can make a difference, it invigorates me.

And then:

Zita the Conqueror emerges!

Here is what I plan on doing in my own little corner of the word:

  • I will learn how to respond to an active shooter.
  • I will go to the gym, and get strong. I will lose weight. I will be able to defend myself and others if necessary. 
  • I will find another place to live at the end of February.
  • And I will find more work!

Take that darkness!! I am here to kick your A*SS

Happy Friday everyone else!

And prayers for the people of Fort Lauderdale.  May peace prevail.


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