What If?

I have always considered Nashville a safe place to live. I have no problem going downtown by myself. I sometimes forget to lock my door. I read about some of the crime that goes on here, but compared to other cities, it seems far removed from my reality.

Today, Justin and I were on our way to pick up Maddie from school. The two cars in front of us stopped. We heard a loud *pop* and saw a hubcap roll into the street. Two cars were driving through the intersection without stopping. Justin said, "They're shooting at each other." What I naively thought was a car backfiring, was a gunshot.

Then- pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop

The drivers had their heads and arms out of their windows, shooting at each other. It seemed like it was happening in slow motion, but the gunfire was rapid. They kept driving, while every driver or passenger in nearby cars dialed 9-1-1.

This was in a decent neighborhood. This was in broad daylight. This was in total disregard for any innocent bystander, who happened to be in the line of fire. This was scary.

This was 1.5 miles from Maddie's school.

When we arrived at the school, I was still on the line with the 911 operator. Unfortunately, I didn't see the license plate, and the description of the cars was mediocre, at best.

Of course, once I had it through my head that everyone that I love and cherish, were safe, the questions began.

What if they had turned to the right, and drove past Maddie's school? Where all of the children were playing outside.

What if a stray bullet had hit Justin or me? What about the person in the car in front of us?

What if they had gotten out of their cars and randomly opened fire, on all of us?

What if we were on our way home, with Maddie in the car?

What if? What if? WHAT IF?

I know that "what ifs" rarely accomplish much. Today, they made me hug Maddie a few extra times. They made me appreciate Justin, even more. They made me grateful. For life.

As I was leaving for work tonight, I gave Justin a kiss, and in our "let's make everything a joke" way, I said:

"I'm glad you didn't, well- you know- get shot, today." To which he replied:

"Yeah- try not to get shot on your way to work."

Neither joke was very funny. Not today.

Go tell your family you love them. You never know when random crazy people will start shooting guns.

Nope- still not funny.