Viral

Almost two years ago I reached a milestone - a viral post.

200 comments.
999 likes.
786 shares.

But it isn't for the reason you think.

Nor is it a reason for which you would ever want to have a viral post.

This was the post announcing that our new home had been invaded just 3 days after moving in.

A man busted down our door at 1 am, bounded up the stairs and into our bedroom waving a gun.

My husband didn't hesitate - he grabbed his gun, which he had just unpacked that afternoon, and fired.

He didn't even realize that he'd been shot until after he had chased that guy and his companion out of the house with bullets.

We waited 20 minutes for the cops to come.  The ambulance took him away to get checked.  I was left to sit in the car in the cold weather as my son slept in his carseat while I waited for the cops to interview me and process the crime scene.

I remember the night with stark clarity even though I didn't sleep a wink.  I also remember how I felt when I realized that a hail of bullets was standing between me and my son and making sure he was safe.

Thankfully, he slept through the invasion.  My husband wasn't seriously hurt.  And all four men involved were caught within 24 hours thanks to the excellent work by the PA State Police.

Why am I telling you this?  

Because THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE.  I'm living proof of that.  I'm white and I live in about as nice of a neighborhood as you can get in rural America.  

And because I want you to be prepared.  Preparation is what saved our lives that night.  (Because, no, they weren't just going to say "Oops, wrong people.  Sorry." and walk away.)

Whether or not you choose to have a firearm in your home is your business.  I'm not advocating either way.  But what I am advocating for is preparedness.

Sit down with your family tonight and make an emergency plan.  Figure out how you would handle a home invasion, fire or other disaster. 

Because it could literally save your life.

Do you have an emergency plan in place?
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