In 1998, 3,792 American children and teens (19 and under) died by gunfire in murders,
suicides and unintentional shootings, according to the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention. That's more than 10 young people a day. In that year my son David, happened to
be one of them. When we see or read about statistics, we think in terms of numbers, and
though 3,792 is a large number, the number 1 was a large number for me that year. My one
son became my one dead son. But (1) one doubled and became (2) two for a portion of me died
that March also. I imagine that 3,792 has doubled or even tripled as well. The parents of all
those children, and their siblings were also affected.
Our society has also been affected. Did we lose the one who had the secret of curing cancer?
Did we lose a Senator or even a President? Did we lose a humanitarian who would travel the
world for human issues? We’ll never know. For those hopes and dreams are forever gone from
us.
David was my son. Unfortunately there are many David’s who have made their eternal exit
through the hands of misguided and troubled youth. For this reason I would like to tell my
story to young people to remind them just how precious they are. They must choose life and in
choosing life means making decisions about their lives rather than living on impulse. I would
also like to get their help in donating old shoes in honor of a friend or family member who has
lost their life through teen violence. They deserve to be remembered.
Once I’ve collected enough shoes to create an effective exhibit, I would like to take the exhibit
to various schools, youth centers, churches, and any organization dedicated to uplifting the
lives of children and teens. The exhibit would be a path made of shoes. Students will be
invited to walk the path, in hopes that they may experience the reality of death.
I am an educator. I’ve worked in public education for thirty four (34) years. Because of my
love for teaching I assist young people entering the teaching profession as an Adjunct
Professor. Being a professional did not immunize me from this dreadful epidemic. I have been
greatly affected by the ravenous violence of which I see very little is being done. Since this
problem originated among the youth of our nation, I believe the solution is also lies within in
them also. It is my desire that as each student participates, they will make the decision to
honor life.
Elaine Lane
suicides and unintentional shootings, according to the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention. That's more than 10 young people a day. In that year my son David, happened to
be one of them. When we see or read about statistics, we think in terms of numbers, and
though 3,792 is a large number, the number 1 was a large number for me that year. My one
son became my one dead son. But (1) one doubled and became (2) two for a portion of me died
that March also. I imagine that 3,792 has doubled or even tripled as well. The parents of all
those children, and their siblings were also affected.
Our society has also been affected. Did we lose the one who had the secret of curing cancer?
Did we lose a Senator or even a President? Did we lose a humanitarian who would travel the
world for human issues? We’ll never know. For those hopes and dreams are forever gone from
us.
David was my son. Unfortunately there are many David’s who have made their eternal exit
through the hands of misguided and troubled youth. For this reason I would like to tell my
story to young people to remind them just how precious they are. They must choose life and in
choosing life means making decisions about their lives rather than living on impulse. I would
also like to get their help in donating old shoes in honor of a friend or family member who has
lost their life through teen violence. They deserve to be remembered.
Once I’ve collected enough shoes to create an effective exhibit, I would like to take the exhibit
to various schools, youth centers, churches, and any organization dedicated to uplifting the
lives of children and teens. The exhibit would be a path made of shoes. Students will be
invited to walk the path, in hopes that they may experience the reality of death.
I am an educator. I’ve worked in public education for thirty four (34) years. Because of my
love for teaching I assist young people entering the teaching profession as an Adjunct
Professor. Being a professional did not immunize me from this dreadful epidemic. I have been
greatly affected by the ravenous violence of which I see very little is being done. Since this
problem originated among the youth of our nation, I believe the solution is also lies within in
them also. It is my desire that as each student participates, they will make the decision to
honor life.
Elaine Lane
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