As a child playing, laughing and loving filled your days. Kisses from Mommy, a band aid, and sometimes ice cream made everything better. The days of innocence are such a blessing!
Today Blake came home from school and said he learned about 9/11. He said his teacher showed them a picture of the bad guy, Osama Bin laden, and a picture of a plane crashing into the Twin Towers. She explained enough of the story that Blake just couldn't stop thinking about it. He said he was so sad his whole body hurt. As I hugged him he cried so hard, not out of fear, but because of all the lives lost that day.
He asked us question after question, trying to understand. As we talked openly about the events of that fateful day in history we shared with him that adults don't understand and that adults were scared and so very sad. We explained that there are many things in place today to help prevent something like that from happening again. We enouraged him to pray for the families of those who went to heaven that day, because that is the best way we can help. He agreed and said he would always remember to pray for them.
He tried to get his mind off of it for a little bit, went to play and a short while later he was shedding more tears. He asked more questions such as, did someone give that evil man a funeral when he died? Will I have to see him in heaven? Why would he want to hurt people?
Our sweet boy has a heart of gold and this will weigh on him heavily. My heart broke for him as he truly felt the sadness that we will always remember from that awful day.
It hadn't occured to me to talk to him about this, I naively thought he was too young. I know we will always remember September 11th . . . and I will now always remember the day we explained it to our oldest son.
Christmas Eve and Christmas at Nonnie and Bop's
11 years ago
3 comments:
What a tough day for Blake :( I just wrote about this last night...we plan on talking to the kids about it this year and watching some of the memorial coverage on Sunday with them. I figured it was finally time. Hugs to Blake...and to Mama.
My initial reaction is that 9/11 is too loaded a topic for this age group. I think the discussion could have waited another couple of years and I can't believe the teacher didn't give you guys a heads up??
Fortunately, you guys are great parents and present to help Blake sort through his feelings and thoughts. Big hugs to Blake.
Oh Rachel, tears again. What a sweet post. I am so glad you could help him through that. Sometimes I think the kids need time like that everyday and there just isn't enough. It makes me sad. I am grateful there are such golden boys out there....with such amazing mothers. It gives me hope for my daughters one day....who I hope will also grow to be as golden. What a tender post. Thank you for sharing.
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