The following is a story of why we need to watch out for our kids and their friends and acquaintances.

An Essay by Jill F. VonGruben

On April 15, 1999, I gave a speech to parents of middle school students. During the talk, I mentioned that as parents we need to watch out not only for our own children, but for their friends and acquaintances. If we see any sign that is troubling -- depression, sexual promiscuity, drug or alcohol use, falling grades, fascination with death and/or guns -- whatever -- 

RUN, don't walk  

and get help. When it's all said and done, the kid or kids might be ticked off at us, but at least they'll be alive.

As I looked around the room, the parents whose oldest children were in middle school looked at me like I had lost my mind. The parents whose older children were in high school or beyond, were silently nodding their heads "yes".

As I drove home, I wondered if I had made a difference to these parents. Would they watch out more? Would they be more vigilant?

Five Days Later Was the Columbine School Massacre

As with the rest of America, I sat listening to the radio and watching the TV as the horror unfolded. I grieved that no one had given the above talk to those parents. I grieved because that violence could happen anywhere. I grieved because the young people who lost their lives that day could have been twins to my own children. They were so similar.

The bottom line -- is this can happen anywhere. Unfortunately, this tragic scenario has been repeated since then in other schools in other states. The bottom line -- this can happen anywhere. The bottom line -- this could be your child.

Watch out for your children. Watch out for their friends. Care. Be involved.