peace on earth
Since Monday I have been both transfixed and mortified by the events in Sydney. As much as I wanted to sit and watch it unfold I opted instead to switch off and tune out. To wake to the news of death and selfless sacrifice yesterday was devastating. And then to scroll through facebook and realise I know the mother and the sister of the man that was killed? The saddest of hearts.
We don’t have a tv in our home and whenever we were in the car I turned the radio down come news time. I didn’t feel the need to inform the children of what was happening – they don’t need to be privy to such terror and grief at this age. So I metaphorically wrapped them in cotton wool and took them to the beach and I sat and watched them play. And I thought about freedom and joy and innocence and I basked in the opportunity to observe it.
It’s difficult to embrace festivity and frivolity at the moment; it’s hard to comprehend the potent act of evil that has consumed our lives for the past few days. But on the flipside there is an enormous sense of perspective and, subsequently, gratitude. I’m stepping into this week before Christmas knowing that I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’ve got it all: love, health, family – life.
I’ve had the pleasure of discussing motherhood with Tori’s mum many times so when I read her statement to the media yesterday I knew it came from a broken yet genuinely beautiful heart. She ended with a sentiment shared by so many of us at this time of year:
Beautiful words.
x
That is so beautiful, and I agree – all of this just makes me want to share a meal – not give or receive presents. We have everything, absolutely everything that matters.
This morning when I read about the attack on the school in Pakistan I did decide to broadly discuss it with my child who starts school next year – I told him that in some parts of the world children are not allowed to go to school, – that there are people who despise the fact that education allows you freedom, and the capacity to choose and direct your life. I told my son that there are people who do not want others to have freedom, to be resilient, & that every day he should know how lucky he is to go to school, to have the chance to learn. Education is a luxury, and I think it is time we all instilled that understanding in our children. Of coarse I will not tell my son that children are killed for this choice. But I do want him to know how lucky he is. How lucky one is if they can read – I told my son that if I had a book, but was shipwrecked on an island, I'd never be lonely.
What a wonderful lesson to teach your son. I'll be filing it away for when our boy starts school.
Silver, since Daniel returned from his overseas trip earlier this year, there have been many times when we have discussed opportunity and blessings with Che. Daniel visited Soweto in SA, the slums in India and The Philippines, the favelas in Rio…the poverty was profound. Our children will be become better adults if they grow up understanding how lucky they really are; if gratitude is encouraged from a young age x
Jodi you are so right. That must have ben a tough experience for Daniel, I can only imagine how much he must have wanted to beam back to his family during those times – just to hug you all and know that things were fine.
Well said. And as awful as the event in Sydney is/was, soul-shattering is the news emerging from Pakistan. Despite what happened in Sydney on Monday and Tuesday, I'm entering the Christmas/New Year season feeling overwhelmingly grateful for what I have, to be where I live.
This is the first year my two young boys are really aware of the Christmas lead-up and festivities, and I'm trying to make it special enough for them to remember. My main hope for them at the moment is that, when they're older, they look back on this time and remember feeling happy and safe.
These soul-crushing events and behaviours are the reasons Jesus came and lived among us. His message of peace is one that is as much for today as for 2000 years ago. How little the world has changed…
A beautiful post that echoes much of my own sentiment. My sister knew the other victim. It's all very raw and awful. You're so right about the gratitude and reflection it brings.
It's been a heavy hearted week. The events in Sydney, but I've also been following the Royal Commission re Mangrove, which has been upsetting. My little girl has finished up preschool today – so many emotions there as well, and I feel like I am run down and getting a horrible summer cold. I think some peaceful and relaxing days in the lead up to Christmas are very much required.
It's so difficult to comprehend such terrible acts isn't it, especially at this time of year. My thoughts are with the families and the communities, so very sad xx
beautiful words
There is something so chilling about watching something unfold in real time. Love is the only answer..