Will I Ever Let My Children Walk Home From School?

Growing up in Chicago, I lived in neighborhoods where distance was classified in blocks.  I was walking the 4 block walk home from school with my older brother when I was in first grade.  We would meet everyday after school on the corner and we would walk home in drodes with the other kids going our way.  Walking home was fun and it was about 15 minutes of pure freedom.  As I got older, I would walk home with best friends, often detouring off to play in the fall colored leaves or jump in the puddles.  It was fun, a time to laugh and chat with friends before I got home and had to do homework and then go off to some sporting practice.

I for the last year and a half, have lived in NC, where distance is measured in roads and neighbors are acres apart.  My 2 boys take the bus to school, which lets off down the hill!  It’s not a long walk home and might be quite nice this time of year as the weather is cool and the “road” is lined with orange and red leaves.  For the first time ever, I decided to let the boys walk home from the bus stop.  I was soooo nervous, so I did drive to the stop and follow behind to make sure they got home.  About a week later, I decided not to drive behind and let them walk the 10 minute walk by themselves.  I waited at the end of the drive, sweating the whole time with thoughts that one might push the other one down a hill or one might climb a tree and fall out.  Well 10 mnutes later they both walked up together.  I was really proud of them for coming straight home and all in one piece.  Although they made it safely and together, I just still couldn’t lose the worry of mom and haven’t let them walk since.  I just feel much happier when I pick them up.

And Then…. A news story breaks about a little 7 year old girl in Florida who was abducted and murdered on her walk home from school.  She was walking with others and was still abducted.  This is just every parents nightmare.  Why? Why can’t our children experience a walk home from school and come home to baked cookies safely like I did when I was a kid?  Why do people hurt children?  Why was she taken?  Why Why Why Mr. Kidnapper did you take God’s child and hurt her?  Why did you take her from her parents?  Why did you take away her chance to change the world?  Why did you take the enjoyment of a walk home from school away from all the children of the world? 

My children will never walk home from school again and that is just so sad.  To protect them, I have to take away a childhood rite.  The right to walk with friends, jump in puddles and run through the front door to yell “Mom, I’m home”. 

To the family of Somer Thompson, my prayers are with you!