Friday my kids came home from school, with so many friends the house was pulsing with noise, but my kids stopped to ask if I'd heard the news. I'm pretty well known for not watching or reading the news, but even I knew about the horrific top story on every one's minds and hearts.
As the evening unfolded, their friends told stories of their mother's texting them during the school day to say, "I love you". A mom came by our house and paused a long planned party just to hug her child. My kids questioned why I didn't text them, or stop the party so I could hug them.
Honestly, it didn't occur to me. I send them off each day with my love and good day wishes, a text would be unusual. A hug less so, but in the joyousness of the party, I didn't want to stop their laughter.
I firmly believe that one of my jobs as their Mom is to keep their lives as normal as possible. We all know bad things happen in the world, but this place here, this home that smells like buttered popcorn and dogs and teenagers, that literally shakes on it's foundations with rollicking good times, this is their haven. This is where they can come to when things are stressful and they know we will listen, love, understand, support.
Tragic events make me want to hold them tighter, to smother with love, but I will maintain this level of normal. The party will go on, their laughter will ring out, unusual thumps will shake the whole house. I will quietly thank God for my blessings and pray for those whose lives have been changed forever.
And on Monday, I will send my kids off to school, with my love and wishes for good days at school and all my prayers. Just like always.
My kids are not old enough to go to school yet, but this even was yet one more thing to shack my faith in the public school system. Your words are wise, though, and I think it's amazing to create such a space of peace despite the storms. Perhaps it's important for our kids to weather the storms so they can feel how safe our homes really are? Thanks for sharing this perspective...it was calming even to a stranger thousands of miles away.
ReplyDelete*event and *shake
DeleteHello self-editor? Are we awake?
I think their laughter would warm my heart and convince me they are ok more than a hug any way. My only wish is that my girls will always know our home as a safe haven from what ever the outside world can throw at them!
ReplyDelete