So why should I worry? Why worry at all? (because I'm a mom, that's why!)

I had a very scary moment as a mom last night. At around 9:00pm, my daughter calls me from Washington DC. Now that, in itself, is not scary. She usually gives me a call at strange times, just to say hello, to let me know how her classes went, to vent about a stressful situation she may be in at work, but NEVER, NEVER in a million years did I expect to hear what I did last night.......

"Hello?"

"Mom? Are you sleeping?"

"No, my throat just hurts."

"Oh, well, I am just calling to let you know, in case you hear this on social media, there is a gunman on campus and it is in lockdown. But don't worry, I'm in my apartment and I'm ok."

Don't worry? You lost me at gunman....you lost me at gunman. Well, guess what, that little piece of advice went right out the window when I heard the word gunman. Stuff like that happens in other places to other families. Gunman on campus. That doesn't happen to those I love. While she remained calm and tells me, "Don't worry", I am a mom, we are prone to that. Especially when our children are hundreds of miles away at school. Heck, I worry when I drop my youngest daughter off at the high school each morning. And in light of the year anniversary of the school massacre at Sandy Hook, the phone call last night, rocked me to my core. When my oldest decided to go to North Carolina to college, it was a worrisome time for me. I feared those phone calls. I watched the news feverishly. I cringed when I heard of a college campus shooting. And when she traveled the friendly skies to all sorts of great places, I worried. I worried from the time she left until the time she was back home. I guess I am a worrier by nature. Don't worry? Ha!

I immediately took to the social media outlets, following the story closely. I did heave a huge sigh of relief when I knew the lockdown was lifted and the 'suspect' was in custody. But I could not stop thinking about the what if's. So close to Christmas and my mind instantly flooded with the heartache and pain that the families of Sandy Hook must have gone through last year. In the blink of a couple eyes, I began to think of all the things my daughter has done in her life, and all she has yet to do. It scared me to think how quickly she could have been a name on a news outlet. I think my youngest daughter said it best when she took to her own social media last night, tweeting: It's scary when something you never thought would happen to someone so close to you actually happens. Yes, babygirl, it sure is.

I apologize for this blog not being very Christmas related today. It is the first day in a long time that I don't feel too moved by the Christmast Spirit. Please do not misunderstand my posting today. I am super thankful that my daughter and everyone else on the campus of American University are safe. I am thankful the school took the precautions it did to ensure the safety of the students. I am exceptionally thankful that the incident turned out to be nothing (or so the media outlets reported). And I am over the top excited that I will still have Sunday to spend with my girls, the oldest's boyfriend, and the rest of my family at the sweetest place on Earth. I am thankful that come Christmas morning, I can celebrate with BOTH my girls.

Until tomorrow, my friends.....don't wait to tell someone how you feel, don't put off hugging you children each day (if you can), and don't ever let an opportunity slip by you without telling your children how loved they are. I know mine will get extra tight hugs on Sunday.

Think Thankfully!!!