[our very own caped crusader]
It's been a while since I've done a motherhood monday post. Truthfully, I love doing them. Another truth: I have little to no time (or ability) to connect coherent thoughts these days in a meaningful way. Being a firm believer in that you have just enough time for exactly what you want to have in life, I am trying to re-introduce these monday posts. So if you have any topics you want covered, let me know.
And to that end, my mind & heart have been heavy with the reality in which we live as parents (and seriously, humans) these days in the US - this school shooting issue, or more accurately the gun issue. I know it all too well. Though I wasn't at Virginia Tech on April 16th, 2007, I still had many friends, sorority sisters, and teachers who were victims of the horrific events that transpired what will be 11 years ago this April. (Yes, ELEVEN years ago.) I sat in those very classrooms in Norris Hall. I know too well what it feels like to have a safe space, a place that you call home, a place that is a sanctuary for learning to be ravaged by something entirely incomprehensible and subsequently see the impact on the community around it. I also know too well what it is like to have a friend taken by a mass shooting because of hatred and anger. I was on the phone with my sister while she was taking cover in an LAX airport as someone shot their way through TSA and spent hours waiting for confirmation that she was OK. However, I do not think this puts me in a more experienced or better position than any of us to say that something has got to change. If you stick with me (or if you just want to scroll to the bottom) I've included several excellent organizations below which I would highly recommend that you engage with, support, and help spread their mission of common sense gun regulations, as well as direct ways to help the courageous kids and families in Parkland.
I shared this video in the days after the recent events at Parkland. It was done by a film making parent duo to their done before Parkland, but not too long ago. I think it is wonderful, hopeful, and truly what we all want for our children. But I think we need to take it a step further. I read a post last week from a fellow mama here in Charlotte and it rang such truth to me. We've had similar conversations with our son about his desire to protect his friends, how he wants to fight the bad guys. And this is something that we instill in our children from the beginning - to be rebellious, defiant, and unconditionally strong in the face of adversity and danger. To protect what you love & hold dear, to stand up for what is right, just, & good in the world. These are all things that I support because without that, what would have happened on that train to Paris or that flight that ended in PA instead of somewhere worse. It's all great in theory, as long as it isn't your kid who's life could be cut short risking life and limb. But now, we are sending our children to school and it is literally risking their life. I'm not saying this to be dramatic because it's the reality in which we live. Our children don't know what it's like to not have active shooter drills. As parents, we already have to have difficult conversations with our children, but now even more so, we have to have incredibly difficult conversations with our children to protect them, to keep them alive. I'd like you read that sentence again. We all have had to take these measures to help keep our children alive and safe while they are at school. There is something fundamentally wrong with that sentence and it should enrage you. And this pervasive, it won't happen to us mentality continues to be somewhat of a guiding principle. It is here is where my experience does give me some moxie because I'm here to tell you:
it can happen to you and unless we do something about it, it will.
It seems like a tremendously daunting task. And I am far from having any answers. We've gone over a decade with no real progress being made and both sides of the aisle pointing their fingers at each other in blame and not solutions. What I have seen in these days that have followed Parkland is an uprising. It is my hope that these teenagers who have been forced to grow up far before they really needed to are going to succeed in impacting change. They are standing defiantly and unapologetically for their friends and teachers who cannot anymore to try and enact real, meaningful change in hopes of protecting future generations from what they have had to endure. And they cannot, nor should they, do it along. My perspective is that we have to stand with them. The adults that are there to protect them, shield them from this harsh reality need to pick of the mantle and help force this change. Again, somewhat of a daunting task, but here's where I plan to start and I hope you do too
1 comments
This was such an amazing post. Thank you for sharing your fears <3
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for reading my blog and leaving me a lovely comment! Your support truly makes my day. Hope you come back soon! xoxo