Yesterday was such a monumental day for the United States, that I couldn't help but want to share it with my 6 year old son. He was not alive on 9/11, nor have I ever attempted to explain what happened on that beautifully sunny yet tragic September day, now nearly 10 years ago, and how yesterday's killing of Osama Bin Laden brings joy, relief, celebration and hope to many.
As we were sitting down to breakfast this morning, I spent a few moments searching for the words to adequately explain the tragedy of 9/11 as well as to describe what the "bad men" did to our country. It dawned on me that using simple words was the best way to go. I simpy explained that a bad man had directed other bad men to kill thousands of innocent, good Americans. After answering many questions ("Why would someone want to crash a plane into a building?"), we then talked about Osama Bin Laden and why it was a "good" thing that he was killed yesterday.
I have such internal conflict when relaying news of someone's death as a good thing. It is never a good thing when someone is murdered. And yet, we are all rejoicing the justice that is done by the death, or rather the removal, of such a dispicable and evil creature. I suppose it is just a relief that this man can no longer do harm. That is what we are rejoicing today. And, that is what I conveyed to my 6 year old.
There will continue to be questions and I will continue to work hard to find appropriate responses. Crushing the innocence that the world and the people that live in it are all good saddens me. However, it is a reality and I believe that the truth is best. At 6 years old, my son cannot possibly grasp the degree to which that evil man's plan affected our country, our world. However, I do believe he is able to begin a lot of critical thinking processes within that growing brain of his.
wow, I can't even imagine how difficult it would be to explain to his six-year-old what happened with the death of Osama bin Laden. It occurred to me, we are teaching our six-year-old children lessons such as do no harm, don't tease your fellow classmates, it's important to share, do not kill, and so this type of the situation must've been very difficult indeed. How can you explain that there are times when killing is okay? I am curious as to the questions he may have asked you after you try to explain everything. What an amazing first post!
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