Today, images of yesterday's tragedy in Boston fill the newspaper, sounds of it fill the airwaves. It's nearly inescapable, even from the front windows of the school building where I work - I can easily see the flag flying at half staff in honor of the victims.
One of those victims was an 8 year old boy. That hits home for me... I have my own 8 year old, currently getting ready to head into bed. I can't stop thinking about that child's parents - the father who ran and the mother currently hospitalized with serious injuries. How will they ever pick up the pieces of their lives and carry on? I can't imagine many things that would be worse than losing a child, especially in such a random, inexplicable way.
I want to keep my girls within arm's length. I want to hold them close and keep them safe from harm. I don't want to send them off to the Y to dance class or to school or around the block on their bikes. Something might happen to them. Someone might hurt them. They might hurt themselves.
Realistically, I know that I can't shield them from every danger, real or imagined. I know I need to let them explore and become independent. I need to let them bump their elbows, scrape their knees, and get lost not too far from home. I need to let them experience the joys of first love and the sorrows of a broken heart.
I need to let them live their lives.
Easier said than done on a day like today....
If only we could shield our children from the darkness of the world...
ReplyDeleteThat quote about being a parent is like letting your heart walk outside your body every day is so true. And especially when we hear stories like this.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to hold my own "grown up" children close today too. One of them called to check on a family member who had been at the marathon and I was very glad to hear his voice!
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