Our crew of 12 friends and family stood strong as we filled in behind the students. The streets were lined from side to side with people as far as we could see — toddlers on shoulders… students in packs… parents in pairs… doctors and nurses in white lab coats… grandparents in their extra sturdy walking shoes… dogs on leashes. As a protest march virgin, I had a hard time thinking it was really going to take us three hours to walk under two and a half miles.
As the chants began, I was instantly overwhelmed and could suddenly feel the golf ball-sized object in my throat that was fighting to crawl up and escape in the form of watery tears from my eyes. When the student crowd grew louder, I couldn’t fight it any longer and allowed the tears to quietly flow down my cheeks.
Our group folded into the march making the teen chants louder, sending a powerful message as far as we could.
Watching my 15- and 17-year old hand-in-hand, making their footsteps matter made me feel (for a brief moment) that I had achieved my goal of raising STRONG girls.
Holding my sign high above my head until my arms ached drained all the energy from my body — yet made me feel powerful and important and strong at the same time.
Overhearing my mom telling a street interviewer that she was participating, “so that her grandkids could be safe going to school,” made me feel proud to be the daughter of a STRONG mother.
Reading signs from local victims who shared their personal stories of how gun violence ripped apart their sense of “normal” delivered the issue right to our doorstep.
Being personally thanked for marching by a gun violence victim as he pointed to the area where the bullet punctured his chest, made the issue and cause unquestionable.
Being a part of a group of marchers that included college kids and high school kids and middle school-aged kids made me feel strong about our youth’s future.
Meeting new friends along the three-hour parade route spreading the message of common sense gun laws made me feel strong about our democracy.
It’s easy to feel divided when we consistently hear reports of hate crimes and people blaming each other for their own actions.
It’s easy to be disappointed and disheartened by the speed of progress being made.
It’s easy to think that our opinion doesn’t really matter.
It’s harder to find positive stories about inspiration in our day to day lives.
It’s harder to create change.
It’s harder to make things happen.
Here’s how to make your vote count!
The students from Parkland who could (and should) be focusing on more pressing teen issues — like the number of likes they have on their latest selfie — should be praised for all they’ve accomplished, not disparaged by the media and political pundits.
My message to you: Stay strong and stay focused. You have plenty of people along this parade route who are marching each step with you.
*Thank you to everyone who allowed me to take the pictures and share them with you.*
#neveragain #enough #parklandstrong #studentstrong #standingstrong
Thank you. I’m sooo glad we did it! It was a great experience for all of us.
Your account of the March was touching and thought provoking… I am proud of you and all who participated in such a meaningful way to let legislators know that change in gun laws MUST happen to help to keep our children, and indeed all of us, safe Thanks for marching and for sharing !!!