How our spoken, written, and physical expressions of affection have more power than we realize.

Times haven’t changed for the best in my opinion, but then again, I might be dubbed “Old School”.  In the 1980’s, I remember walking to school, passing the open soccer fields and walking onto the basketball courts of my elementary school where a competitive game of kick the can was being played.  I would throw my backpack down onto the ground and join the chaos and excitement.  I had no thoughts of danger; let alone, someone coming onto our campus with a gun.  I just wanted to have fun with my friends.

Lots of time has passed since those days, and now my son is entering into high school this year as a freshman.  The days of open and inviting campuses are over; instead, our schools are being built like decorative fortresses with ten foot high fences and balusters disguised as flower pots in the parking lots.  We know the purpose behind the change; however, it stands as a memorial to those unfortunate school campuses, those tragedies of our past that we are forced to learn from.

My advice to my son was even interesting for me to hear as I talked with him about high school. It started off with all the same wisdoms I heard from my parents back in the day: pay attention in class, be respectful, work hard, make good choices, etc., etc., etc.  However, I found myself talking to him about exit strategies, Run-Hide-Fight, and the importance of him being aware of his surroundings.  As a former School Resource Officer and School Threat Assessment Officer, I knew I had to talk to him about the basics of what I had learned in these assignments.  I drove away from the school with a wide variety of thoughts and emotions, hoping and praying for the safety of my son; as well as, all the students in all of our schools.

As I reflected over the years with my son as I drove on, I reminded myself of the most importan ...