Being a mother of a 6 year old and a 2 year old I would rather die myself than have to make this choice. I'm not faulting this mother at all..at least she saved one of them. But I cannot comprehend the agony of making the choice. Perhaps she thought the 6 year old had a better chance of saving herself in some way...running or something.
The six year old may still be alive -- the story doesn't make clear, and may have been written before the situation came to its bloody conclusion. Over 800 people, mostly children, were hospitalized. Let's hope little Alanna is among them.
I don't know how a mother/grandmother makes a choice either, I don't see how I ever could. I think you are correct on the why though, because it is my understanding from all that is posted here today on these atrocities, that the small children who in fact did run, were the first to be shot because they couldn't run fast enough, I also read those being treated in the hospital, all have gunshot wounds to the back
"Alana was clinging to me and holding my hand firmly. But they separated us, and said: 'You go with the boy. Your sister can stay here with her.'
She may not have been able to make the choice but could take the direction of the terrorist. She did leave her daughter with her 16 year old sister-in-law. Very hopefully they got out.