I received the following tweet asking for people to send letters of support to the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
I was contacted on Facebook by a teacher from Stoneman Douglas High in Florida. She would love it if her students had letters of support when they return. Please send to:
Diane Wolk-Rogers
Stoneman Douglas High School
5901 Pine Island Road
Parkland, Florida 33076Thank you ?
— Jude Cazares (@judecazares1) February 18, 2018
Here is my letter.
Dear Students and Teachers:
You are not alone.
Many of us around the country and around the world mourn with you, comfort you, and refuse to accept that “thoughts and prayers” are sufficient. The courageous stands you’ve made on social media and the press bring honor to the memories of your friends and teachers who were stolen from you. You bring us hope that this horror can bring about real change, and your generation will further the progress of the brave souls who preceded you.
We also know that your pain will not go away when the cameras and microphones have moved on. I know from my own experience that there will never be a time you will not think about friends you have lost. You will never again have a Valentine’s Day that will not remind you of the terror you experienced. You may even feel guilt for surviving when others did not.
In those moments as well, you are not alone. We will never forget, and we will be there when you need us.
Stay strong and take the time to heal yourselves. We are with you. You are not alone.
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