Safety

People ask us if we feel more or less safe here in Berlin. In Germany.

I do. Hopefully not blindly.

While there have been a few cell phones taken from coat pockets left in cloak rooms in our older son’s school, it doesn’t compare to the sinking feeling of sadness and fear that I feel today.

The school system our kids went to back in America, comprised of nine schools including an early childhood learning center and five elementary schools, is currently on lock down.

A bomb threat was made earlier today against one school and threats of gun violence against two additional schools.

Gun violence. School shootings. Bombings.

When will the violence stop?

My thoughts go out to all of the students, staff and families affected by today’s events and to all who have been affected by senseless violence around the world. Especially the children.

As the sixth anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting approaches (I will never forget that day as it is shared with the birth of our younger child), my plea goes out to those in power in the US to consider stronger gun laws. To ban assault weapons.

We have commented several times to each other how things are different here in Germany. We only wish this wasn’t one of the differences.