I blog about a lot but it’s rare that I’m truly rendered speechless. Today was one of those days. The tragedy that has claimed at least 18 children’s lives and 9 adult lives is unspeakable. It’s a senseless tragedy–one that never, ever should have happened.

Nor should the shooting at an Oregon mall two days ago … or Columbine, Ft. Hood, Virginia Tech, Aurora … the list goes on and on and on.

The talking heads and pro-gun lobby today will say, “This isn’t the time to politicize gun laws.”

So I ask, WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME?

How many more innocent lives need to be lost? It’s the same situation time and time again … and nothing changes.

Eighteen sets of parents will not be tucking their child into bed. Instead, they will be choosing a casket.

Just typing that makes me cry.

These children were between 5-9 years old. Little kids who play with ponies and Tinker Toys and Legos. Who are learning to read and do arithmetic. Kids whose biggest concern should be what’s for dinner and will Santa bring me what I want for Christmas?

I don’t know what’s wrong with humanity–what’s wrong with America? NO ONE NEEDS AN ASSAULT WEAPON … period!

We aren’t safe at school, or the mall, or the movies. We are safe nowhere. Like the rest of America (and the world) I am so disturbed by this tragedy. WHEN will things change? When will we wake up? WHAT will it take?

There are lots of resources being shared online for parents to speak to their children about tragedies like this. Maya is too little to understand, but it makes me so sad that we live in a world where this is even a reality. We’ve become (un)comfortably numb to hearing such news. Every year, the frequency of mass shootings increases. This is NOT OK.

For now, I’m going to hug my daughter a little tighter and pray for a world in which I don’t need to fear sending her to school.