Mother Kills Children

"PORT ST. JOHN, Fla. • A Florida mother who fatally shot her four children before killing herself Tuesday called three of the kids who had sought help from a neighbor back to the house before firing the fatal shots, authorities said.

Thirty-three-year-old Tonya Thomas fatally shot her four children, who ranged in age from 12 to 17, said Lt. Tod Goodyear, a spokesman for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Three of the children had gone to a neighbor’s front door before dawn to say their mother had shot them. The mother then called the children back to the house and killed them, Goodyear said."

This kind of thing happens all to often. One time before I wrote the following:

There is a place of cuddling comfort

and dancing Peaceful wonder,

Where bumps and bruises cannot hurt

and toys and crayons never break,

Where pillow fights and giggles last,

and frosting’s taller than the cake.

Where teddy bears talk in colors

and puppies wait to play.

Where candy is for breakfast

and presents fill the room.

Where no one knows what fear is,

no shadows can consume.

This special place is one of peace,

of grace, and joy and games,

Where all the mothers of the past

hold children who die young

And make for them a breasted warmth

and memories always fun.

I believe that in this lighted place,

there’s no need to understand

How another takes a life

and causes innocence to die,

But it does make me more aware

of the child in all who cry.

Then truly does my judgment fade,

and anger change to light.

When love is unconditional,

forgiving then is pure.

Even so, my heart is heavy

and I cry and cry some more.