Too Soon

One precious family in our community suffered a terrible, horrible loss yesterday. I found out about it at 12:30 am last night.

Everyone is in shock. The brutal death of a fourteen year-old classmate who, after school, likely walked into her home as it was being invaded, seems almost unfathomable in our insulated enclave.

Her village’s officials said they have never had a murder in their town.  Ever.

Until now.

I believe that. We live in an area made up of a handful of small towns strung together with one common bond: the geography that defines our high school.

Our area is known for being a great place to raise kids, for maintaining property values, and for being accessible; we have excellent transportation amenities. We believe we are at lower risk for exposure to the negative aspects of living in the larger metropolitan area that surrounds us.

We are at lower risk. But risk still exists. We learned that awful truth today.

Despite the small-town, Norman Rockwell feeling we enjoy around here, our population is not all that small.

My children attended this year’s homecoming dance with 2,500 other high school students. That’s how many attended the dance, not the total school enrollment. Add another 1,300 or so to get that number.

Even though our high school is on the large end of the spectrum, it is an excellent school and I believe there are many, many reasons for this including the cumulative efforts of staff, parents, students, and community, as well as a good tax base and sound financial planning.

It is a big school, but it feels small. It is not just geography, but the people whose hearts, souls, and values make this the quintessential spot on the map that it is. It’s our communities and the people who inhabit them that make the difference.

Unfortunately today, there is one less student in our high school’s freshman class due to a senseless crime perpetrated on a beautiful, innocent child who did not deserve to die the way she did.

This weekend and ongoing, her classmates, the school, the surrounding communities, and most importantly her family and friends will grieve her loss.  This crime has rocked our world.

R.I.P. Kelli O.

You were taken far too soon.