Team Tuohy

12 years ago today I was in 6th grade running into my grandparents house with my baby sister after school to be greeted by our dad on the phone in Colorado. It is one of the very few times I remember hearing my father cry. It was a cry of sadness, devastation, pain and more than anything fear. Fear for what was occurring right around them and fear of the unknown that would come after it, for him and my mama were about to witness just how much would be lost that day.

Growing up in Colorado, Highlands Ranch, I had never been concerned with my safety nor had my parents to the best of my knowledge. On this day, however, the selfish act of two young men would change that forever. Not only for our small suburb of Denver but for cities all over our nation. It also meant that our sweet sweet family friend's lives would also be changed forever when those young men took the life of their son. I won't begin to pretend I know what that was like for them, from watching my parents cope with it though, I can only imagine it was unbearable. Often times it seems as if we are invincible, that the stuff we see on the news is devastating but would never happen to us or to our "people". However, each person on there is somebody's "person". This time it was one of our own, we are not invincible- each day is not a guarantee.

Our sweet friends are two of the strongest people I know and each year my heart goes out to them and I am reminded of the privileged in each hug and each "I love you", today is no different. I write this today as a reminder- I don't want there to ever be a day that we forget what happened and stop appreciating the gift of love and life. There is nothing we can do to change what has been done, however we can choose to never forget those beautiful kids who were tragically taken away and instead continue to push forward in love and truth in their memory. For each life mattered and deserves to be remembered; their story is not finished.

 Choose to love today, choose to wrap your arms around your family and squeeze tight. Call those who are distant and remind them of their meaning to you. Smile at the stranger in the elevator and be a light for life. Uncle Rich and Aunt Sue, I love you dearly and you are a testament to strength, courage and love- I know my parents agree- we are blessed to be a part of your lives. Danny, you will never be forgotten. Columbine, we love you.