Under the baobab: 19 of our children are gone, and we failed them all

We are not meant to live longer than our children. In “all the purposes under heaven” there is no time set aside to bury our babies. But, when you must, there is an unbearable pain which must be born.

Many years ago, our oldest daughter Alison died after a surgical procedure. When her husband called to tell us, we were outside the Bryce Jordan Center. Jo’s agonizing scream still rings in my head. For our family, Alison’s death was a transitional moment like 9/11 or JFK’s assassination. Part of our personal agony was the nagging sense that we should have done something to stop the blood vessel from exploding in Alison’s lung. Of course, we couldn’t. It wasn’t in our hands.

That moment is back. Nineteen of our children were slaughtered by a madman in Uvalde, Texas: Xavier Lopez, 10; Uziyah Garcia, 9; Alexandria Aniyah Rubio, 10; Jose Flores, 10; Amerie Jo Garza, 10; Jayce Luevanos, 10; Jailah Silguero, 10; Miranda Mathis, 11; Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10; Jackie Cazares, 10; Ellie Garcia, 10; Alithia Ramirez, 10; Rojelio Torres, 10; Makenna Lee Elrod, 10; Nevaeh Bravo, 10; Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, 10; Eliahna “Elijah” Cruz Torres, 10; Layla Salazar, 10; Tess Mata, 10.

They went to school last Tuesday morning as usual. A child, 18, not much older than his victims, brandishing a weapon of war, cut them to pieces. He killed two of their teachers — Eva Mireles and Irma Garcia. Then he himself was killed.

Those children are our children. All children are our children. We as old folks, cannot “visit the house of tomorrow where their young souls dwell,” but we have a duty to ensure their safety and well-being in the house of today. We are failing in that duty.

Sisters and brothers, we were powerless to prevent Alison’s embolism. But, this one is on us. We did not place the AR-15 military assault rifle in this teenage killer’s hands. We did not directly give him these weapons of destruction. He purchased them legally. But, the law that allowed his unencumbered acquisition was enacted by legislators who, as one commentator said, “prefer profits over children.” We the people elect those legislators. Once, the law prohibited military weapons from being procured by anyone who was not authorized military personnel. Perhaps we should start consider electing folks to office who believe that promoting the general welfare should be grounded in providing a safe environment for all the people not just the opportunistic profiteers.

On a more joyous note, the Palmer Museum of Art held its 50th anniversary benefit gala, “Building on Gold.” Palmer Museum director Erin M. Coe, Dean of the College of Arts and Architecture B. Stephen Carpenter II and Terri Sowerby, chair of the Friends Leadership Council, welcomed a record 300 patrons to the gala. The event was sponsored by Susan and David Werner. Bill Jaffe was posthumously presented the James and Barbara Palmer Philanthropic Service Award. Executive Vice President and Provost Nicholas Jones offered a champagne toast. “Dancing to the Decades” with DJ Adam Cruse proceeded late into the evening.

“A Celebration of Susan Through Words” was held for the late Susan Riddiford-Shedd at the newly restored Boal Barn Theatre. Organized by Jessica Karp and Pat Corey the event featured Stephanie Gates, Jon Vickers-Jones, Cynthia Mazzant, Pam Monk, Adam Schwartz, Laura and Mike Waldhier and yours truly. Susan’s husband and family were in attendance.

And Leadership Centre County sponsored “Tap Into History,” a walking tour in Bellefonte focused on the Underground Railroad, with stops at the Diamond, site of the Mills Brothers barbershop, the Gamble Mill, the Bellefonte Art Museum and St Paul’s AME Church. The event was an homage to the late Rev. Dr. Donna King, former pastor of St. Paul’s, who conducted similar tours that honored our ancestors.