By definition, an exit sign is a device used in a public facility denoting the location of the closest emergency exit in case of a fire or other emergency.

My definition, however, is a bit different.

My definition of an exit sign is the safe haven that I try to look for every time I am in a public place.

This is the way I make myself feel safer whenever I go to a movie, a concert, and now unfortunately school.

This past spring break I had the opportunity to visit Las Vegas with my family. The trip was filled with so many memories that I will remember for years to come.

However, one memory stands out a little more than the rest.

One night my family and I went to go see the infamous show “Cirque du Soleil.” The show was absolutely incredible and I highly recommend it to anyone who visits Las Vegas. My family’s seats were in the center towards the back of the room.

Even before we had talked about the beautiful decorations on stage, my parents turned to me and said, “If you hear any weird noises, drop to the floor and we will cover you.” Even before I was able to tag my location on Snapchat to send to send to my friends,

I had to tag the location of the nearest exit sign.

And even before I was excited to witness my first show in Las Vegas,

I was scared it would be my last.

I know many say not to live your life in fear, however, I can still not say truthfully that there isn’t a day that goes by that I wonder if someday I will just be apart of another statistic.

This is not a way to live life.

This is not a way that any person, especially children, should ever be thinking.

We can not keep living our lives in fear.

We can not keep looking for that exit sign or thinking about our exit plan.

Instead, now is the time for change.

Change that is inspired not only by the victims of gun violence but the million people who demonstrated that they refuse to let this issue go unchanged for any longer.

Finally, back in regards to exit signs, using the wise words of Tom Stoppard:

"Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else ."