In remembrance of the 6 lives lost at the Covenant School

by Rebecca Heinemann, Co-founder of PERK - Franklin, TN

 When I first heard the news of the school shooting in Nashville and that it was not my son’s Catholic school, I was relieved and felt I could put the news in my back pocket and move along my day. But as the reality of the tragedy began to sink in and how close to home it all was, I realized I needed to take action and go check on him. I needed to know more, and I needed to do something.

 My first step was to attend the prayer service that very day at his school before his pickup. At this gathering is when it truly hit me that this horrific school shooting could have been my child’s school —which is only 18 minutes away. It could have been my child. I now can’t stop seeing the bodycam scenes of the officers running through the school and hearing the intense gunfire playing over and over in my head and I think of the parents who dropped off their child that day never to see them again. All horrific and senseless.

 There is no question that we have come to a dark place in America, and I search for answers as to how we got here and how we get out. Most importantly how do we protect the children? Protecting our children has been spiraling downward for years. Did it begin with mothers leaving the household for careers? Having less time to pay attention to what is truly going on with their children? I don’t judge anyone who has done this —as I placed my career first and foremost until I was 39 and thank God, was blessed with my son at 43. But I do start to question our culture and how we have placed motherhood on the back burner. Where did it get us as a society? Have our children suffered in the long run? How do we get back to that place where motherhood is revered? How can we protect and support our children, while also allowing them the freedom to thrive and gain independence?

 After moving away from LA, I thought my child would be safe in rural Tennessee in a Catholic school tucked away in farm fields, roaming cows and horses. I thought we could live peacefully away from the politics in an idyllic world, but I was wrong. The events of March 27 showed me that the fight to protect our children goes on more than ever because it’s coming from all angles. I’m not sure of next steps, but I hope all mothers will begin to think to themselves what more can I do. Be alert, be aware and join in the movement to protect our children.    

 
Please say a prayer for those who lost their lives at the Covenant School.

(TOP ROW) Katherine Koonce, 60 -head of the school; Mike Hill, 61 (custodian); Cynthia Peak, 61 - substitute teacher; (BOTTOM ROW) Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9; Hallie Scruggs, 9; William Kinney, 9

Link to more information on the victims - https://www.foxnews.com/us/who-are-nashville-school-shooting-victims