Safe Spaces

This week, my yoga teacher asked us to think about safety. Where did we feel safe as children?  In the world I grew up in, I rarely felt anything but safe.  Our parents protected us from bad news--and there was only one source of news in my hometown, the voice of Walter Kronkite on Channel 13. 

Nathan paddling the kayak all by himself
at Boerne Lake

Elena at her second rodeo

Twin Sisters breakfast

Every one of those killed in Orlando was once someone's treasured child or grandchild. They had pets, collections, hobbies, bad days and good days, favorite flavors of ice cream, and dreams for their futures.  They learned to paddle kayaks and to ride horses, bicycles, roller coasters.  Grandparents cheered for them when they were up to bat, applauded when they danced or performed on stage, and framed photos of them celebrating every milestone.  As they grew older, one parent or the other stayed awake nights waiting for the sound of them coming home.

When a tragedy happens, like Orlando, or Columbine, or Sandy Hook, or Charleston, we are horrified and grieved by the stories of those who died or were wounded, people like our people, children like ours.

Most children's drawings feature a safe and friendly world, the sun shining above it all.  In this picture by Pam's grandson Ben, a cow with attitude stands on bright green grass under an orange sun, the rays reaching down into a mountain range. This sassy cow fills the frame and all is well.

I want more pictures and stories by children--to counter the fearful facts that inundate us on the news every day. To hear a child's perspective on the power of children's imaginations in a broken world, check out this excellent podcast this week on Ted Radio Hour on Wisdom:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ted-radio-hour/id523121474?mt=2