I was talking to a co-worker this morning and after catching each other up on how our weekends went we broached the events of Sunday. We each expressed our shock and sadness, and then she said, "I am so glad that I have raised my children and do not have to explain to them the ways of this world."
and with that I wanted to cry.
I have not raised my children - I AM RAISING THEM. Right here, right now, everyday I am raising them. I can call my Mom and ask her how to treat a high fever, or find out tips on potty training, or suggestions on how to get my three year old to take Tylenol, but I cannot call my Mom and ask her how to best explain a terrorist attack to my daughter. That is out of her wheel house.
There has always been evil in this world. The difference is, in the past, the evil was not front and center. The evil was not coming from all different directions all the time, the evil was not as easily accessible and as openly discussed. The evil was not normal. Past generations of mothers and fathers were able to shield their babies, to keep them from seeing things to dark and ugly for their precious, pure, un-jaded minds to compute. Parents today do not have that option.
Steve and I are teaching our children to live loud. To be brave. To have morals and convictions and to stand by them. To stick up for the underdog. To love everyone regardless if they look like you, talk like you, believe like you or love like you.
And in this world that is a scary thing.
Because, while I do truly want them to model all of those things, I also want to keep them safe. And most days I don't feel safe enough to take them with me to the grocery store.
I have heard women, and some men, say that they do not want to have children because they do not want to bring them into a world filled with such hatred - and there have been moments when I have wondered what Steve and I have gotten ourselves into - but then I remember that while this world may be filled with hatred, my children are not.
My children are filled with love, acceptance and understanding and we work hard everyday to try to ensure that they grow into adults filled with the same. Adults who spread love is the only way to combat all the hate.
So, while I delicately try to answer any questions that my six year old might have about the events going on around her, I will also be sure to point out to her all of the love. The pictures of people standing in mile long lines to donate their blood, the restaurant owners donating food and drinks, the friends helping their brothers and sisters to safety and the police officers, paramedics, fire fighters and doctors saving lives.
One person initiated an awful, disgusting act of hate - but he doesn't win when we focus on all of the love.
