I am going to start off by saying that I am very grateful to not know someone whose life has been taken due to gun violence. A lot of people in this world, especially America, aren’t so lucky.

Ever since the Parkland school shooting on Valentine’s Day, I have been keeping up with the student activists as well as the victims’ families and I am truly inspired. A horrible nightmare on that day has turned into an uproar against Congress and a push for change. Now, not everyone agrees with what is happening in the government when it deals with gun control, but I truly believe change is going to happen, especially because these young adults, including myself are reaching voting age.

This article isn’t about politics, the government or congress. This article is about how strong the victims’ families and friends are throughout this devastating time in their lives. I give my love and strength to them since that day, but even though they may need it, they truly don’t show it. Many parents who have lost children on that day are creating foundations in their child’s name that help prevent gun violence, push for gun control and inspire children to become leaders. Along with the parents of the Parkland shooting pushing for change, parents of the Sandy Hook shooting are doing the same.

I do not know how they do it. I have experienced loss before, but not to this degree. How are they pushing through their grief to help other people? I don’t know the answer to that question, but it certainly has to do with how much they loved their child and how badly they don’t want to see this happen again.

This is a thank you to those parents. To the parents and families who have lost a loved one to gun violence, my heart is with you. Thank you for all that you have done to help people, especially students like myself, feel safe in school. I know you and the student activists involved are devoting the rest of your lives to this, even though your world was taken away from you. For that, I do not think thank you is enough.