Updated: May 6, 2023
Originally Published: May 6, 2023
Mother’s Day has transformed into a bittersweet occasion for me. Once filled with joy and laughter, it now serves as a painful reminder of the void left by my son. Each year, I would anticipate lovely cards and flowers from him, but two years after his tragic passing, those gestures feel like a distant memory. The last gift I received from him was a delicate watercolor painting of a flower, which now sits by my bedside, alongside his cherished photo.
While many celebrate Mother’s Day with brunches and bouquets, its original purpose was to honor mothers who had lost their children to war and to inspire efforts for peace and safety. Today, however, more children lose their lives to gun violence than to armed conflicts. In fact, in the United States, seven kids are killed by guns each day.
My son, Lucas, had a heart of gold. He was kind and caring. At just 13 years old, Lucas lost his life due to a gunshot wound after a classmate accidentally discharged a loaded shotgun that had been left unsecured.
When I was invited to participate in the documentary Making a Killing: Guns, Greed and the NRA, I knew it was a chance to shed light on the heart-wrenching reality we face. If sharing Lucas’s story and the pain of his loss could potentially save another child, I felt compelled to do so. Watching the film and seeing the remnants of that day—the blood on the floor, his belongings—crushed me. It highlighted the senseless violence fueled by greed. The same year Lucas was killed, the Mossberg Corporation made over $201 million—over $80,000 for every child lost to gun violence in 2014.
Almost every week, a child is unintentionally shot, often by another child. These tragic incidents have become so frequent that they even appear in mainstream shows like Grey’s Anatomy.
You would think it would be a no-brainer to safely store firearms away from inquisitive children, yet in my home state of Washington and many areas across the nation, it remains legal to leave guns accessible to kids. A staggering 1.7 million American children live in homes where guns are loaded and unlocked.
Earlier this year in Tennessee, a 3-year-old boy died after an accidental shooting, occurring while lawmakers delayed voting on a bill that would have mandated safe storage of firearms. This bill faced strong opposition from the NRA and ultimately failed. The NRA also opposed similar legislation in Washington state before Lucas’s tragic death, and that law never passed.
This Mother’s Day, as we celebrate mothers and honor those who wish to become mothers, I implore you to advocate for our children. Like any caring mother, I took precautions to keep my son safe. I ensured he didn’t attend unsupervised gatherings and stayed involved in his life. While I never owned a gun, we discussed gun safety and what to do if he encountered one. However, I regret not asking the parents of his friends if they had guns in their homes. A simple question—”Is there an unlocked gun in your house?”—could save a life.
But don’t stop there. Engage your senators, representatives, and local lawmakers. Urge them to watch Making a Killing, confront the NRA, and take meaningful action to safeguard our kids. Ask them why they prioritize the interests of the NRA while our children pay the price for unsafe gun storage. Inquire why they ignore investments in smart gun technology that would ensure firearms are only operable by their owners.
Due to their inaction, I faced the unimaginable reality of planning my son Lucas’s funeral. He was a wonderful child, full of love and joy, who cherished his time with his older brother and their dog. Mother’s Day will never be the same without him.
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Summary
Mother’s Day has changed for many, especially those who have lost a child. The original intent of the holiday was to honor mothers who lost children to war and advocate for peace. Nowadays, gun violence poses a significant threat to children’s safety. Sharing personal stories can raise awareness and inspire action, but it’s essential to ask the right questions about gun safety and advocate for responsible legislation to protect our kids.