I will Never Know Why by Susan Klebold is another hard hitting reflection of parents' hard time distinguishing that their children are suffering. I couldn't help but pity Susan as she tries to explain the agony that she went through after the shooting and how she had been labeled as a bad parent because she couldn't see the warning signs. To that I say sometimes the warning signs aren't there. I have a nephew that was expelled for a violent behavior he committed at school, and we never suspected that he would be capable of doing such a thing to another student.
I have to commend Susan for having the duty and responsibility to give her side of the story. I felt as though it was needed versus her hiding behind the curtains. To see that she reflects on something horrible that her son did and feel the grief for others as well as the grief for herself and her loss of her son, I have a feeling that I believe everyone here can agree with me: She is only human, just like her son is only human. Her commitment to her son was the same as any other mother's and to call her a bad parent was just mean and uncalled for. It is a mother's job to root for their child and help them and nurture them, but when the child doesn't want or feel that sense of security and nourishment, where does that leave them? It can be that children just have a hard time living up to people's expectations. Maybe that is what Dylan was feeling.
The fact that she shows her vulnerable side to readers shows that she is just as human as the rest of us, and wants people to understand that this was something that was out of her control as well as something that she could never even begin to suspect. But I am grateful that she is planning to do something about it by helping support suicide prevention. I am glad that she is healing even in the eve of such a tragedy. Because, there is no point in dwelling with the feelings that your son did something as horrific as what her son did. The only way to go is forward, and just changing for the better in what you want in your life as well as what you need to do for your community.
Kathy Zinzun
I agree Kathy. I do believe that parents are a beacon of direction for their children, yet is not always followed. The parent is there to teach. To advise. To listen. The parent cannot not live for the child.
ReplyDeleteIn this world, at times tragedy cannot be avoided. It is not okay to blame those who were that weren't responsible. Parents don't pull the trigger. In this case, the child did.
Israel
I commend Susan for such a brave article too. It's not easy knowing that you gave birth to a person that is capable of such a tragic event. I don't know how she made it out but I do believe that telling her story will hope so many cope and will give understanding and or a glimpse of what it looks like to be on the otherside of the fence.
ReplyDelete-Felicia Tonga