Today- as I drove to my sons school for my usual volunteering with his second grade class- where the kids read to me during their reading workshop..I slipped a little shiny star shaped Medellin into my pocket that said YOU ARE MY LUCKY STAR -(something I picked up a few years back) *similar to the one i have attached here

And after being buzzed into the school (something that has only been in place since the shootings in Connecticut last December) I walked the halls of both my boys elementary school and into my sons class. 
I started reading with my son ( I cant help but to always pick him first) and as he started reading to me from his Magic tree house book- I slipped the star into his hand and told him to always hold it close to his heart any time he wanted to feel loved/safe/ of close to me
At that same moment- his teacher came and told me that we would be having a safety drill and to just be prepared that that was going to occur during the majority of my time in the class.
So at 10:40 we all lined up- and were ushered into a small supply closet in the back of another room. Doors were locked and the lights turned out.
I was overcome by emotion as I sat - locked into this room with My sons teacher- a para educator and 16 first and second graders. All in the dark- trying to keep them all as quiet as possible..the children all full of questions..and with little explanation- we just stood there- in the dark..and my mind raced- remembering all the details of the mass shooting in Connecticut where 20 children were killed. I remember hearing stories of one class who hid in a supply closet and were spared because of the teachers diligence and their smart safety skills.
It felt so real being locked in that room with all these sweet - young children. And IT TOOK EVERYTHING i had- to make myself not get overwhelmed by emotion- love for these kids- admiration for the teachers and school staff that everyday care for our babies and put themselves in this uncertain- scary realm that we love in today. 
As I tried to remain calm in that dark closet- finally the teacher found a flash light..and it was then, that I saw my son, sitting in the back next to his friends- rubbing that silver star over and over in his hands