This is the first time I had to text my mom, “there was a shooting. I am safe.”
The day was gorgeous. We played “name that Taylor Swift song” while we waited for the celebration to begin. Eventually, the sky filled with red and gold confetti, and I hoisted my kids on a trash can to get a better view. We cheered for the cheerleaders, the Lombardi trophy and eventually got a wave from Patrick Mahomes.
We hung around for awhile in the sunshine while the kids grabbed fistfuls of confetti to take home to remember the day. I left relieved that I had conquered the traffic without incident and that it was an incredible day in a city I love.
Then we got home and turned on the TV. The texts started coming in.
An active shooter situation near Union Station.
In my city.
Where I was, with my kids.
On a beautiful day in Red Kingdom that should have started and ended with joy.
