We will do anything to protect our children, as Tika Justice’s death proves

I’d take a bullet for my kid, I’d get hit by a train for my kid, I’d do anything for my kid.

Those cliched phrases above are empty words until the time comes.

Tika Justice took a house for her kid.

Listen — we’ll probably never know for sure what happened in the moments the South Broad Street 3-story house collapsed upon itself, but we do know this: Justice’s 16-year-old daughter was found, buried beneath the rubble, with her mother on top of her. The math, to me, seems obvious. Justice attempted to shield her daughter from the deluge.

And she succeeded. Her daughter was transported to the hospital, listed in serious but stable condition. Her other daughter, a 20-yearold, also survived, having been found chest deep in the rubble.

Justice, however, lost her life in the collapse. She lost her life protecting the life of her child.

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We all have memories of when our children were born. They are forever imprinted upon our psyche.

And I remember when my son, my firstborn, came into this world. I remember a feeling washed over me, a feeling I actually was able to put into words.

In a heartbeat, I went from being my father’s son to my son’s father. My whole outlook on who I was changed. I was no longer in the shadow of my dad; I was now the shadow of my son.

I realized I would do anything for him, no matter what.

To be a parent — to be a good parent — you need to be altruist to the highest degree. You need to put the general needs of your children above your own general needs.

Sometimes it means spending a few more nights at home instead out with friends.

Other times it’s a bit more specific. Other times it means hearing a loud crack and seeing walls start to collapse and immediately, without thinking, leaping on your child in an effort to protect them from coming death.

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I didn’t know Tika Justice. The little we’ve found out about her so far through interviews is that she was a strong woman who cared deeply for her kids and who was a good employee.

In short: Tika Justice was like the vast majority of us. Of course we’re all strong in our own ways, of course we show up to work and try our best, of course we care deeply for our kids.

Tika Justice wasn’t an outlier, according to reports. She was one of us. Doing her best, living dayto-day, taking care of business.

And when the time came to protect her child, she acted.

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Again, there’s no way to know exactly what happened. I get that.

But I’m also a parent, and I know, with every single cell in my body telling me so, every atom, every molecule, that if I was in the same position Tika Justice found herself in, I shield my children. Not because I’m a hero, not because I’m brave, but because I’m a parent.

We’d all do the same thing. Tika Justice died because our path has led us here. We will do whatever we have to do to keep our children safe, even if it means putting our own life at risk. Our love for our children — as Justice demonstrated with her life — knows no bounds.

In that way, Tika Justice’s death isn’t a tragedy. It’s a confirmation of the human spirit.

Jeff Edelstein is a columnist for The Trentonian. He can be reached at jedelstein@ trentonian.com, facebook. com/jeffreyedelstein and @ jeffedelstein on Twitter.