9/11 revisted - ages 7, 8 & 33

I remember 9/11 vividly. Karly was two and a half, Kyle 15 months, and I was getting ready for our first MOPS meeting with the news on. I remember the battle in my mind... I want to watch this....I want to know what's happening and finding myself moved to tears. But I was also very aware I had two little people right at my feet and I wondered how they would interpret the events I was watching or mommy's sad eyes. I was compelled with compassion for people I did not know, but I was also compelled to protect the innocence of my own children. It was an odd place to be.

Today with the kids 7 & 8, as the history nut that I am--I took a moment this morning to help them understand 9/11. Thinking it might be addressed in class, we looked at some pictures and clips on "you tube". I explained to them that 9/11 would be an historic event that their generation would speak of for a lifetime. We talked about a HATE so strong that you would kill yourself and others and how sad it must be to be so hateful. Kyle pointed out the courage of the heros of the fourth flight that they sacrificed themselves to prevent others from dying as well--he brought up this concept first to my surprise. We dicussed the courage of rescue workers who went in to help not knowing if they would come out. They also loved knowing that dogs can be trained to find people in piles of rubble (no surprise here from two animal loving children). We also talked about the picture above. How amidst the fallen buildings and lost lives, we still live in a free country where we inspite of dispair --we are not defeated. Freedom can be a tough concept to American children. It's automatic to them and their world view is still so small and innocent.

It was also interesting to hear their questions about survivors. How many people got out? How many people were just injured and not killed? The childlike hope that said, "yes Mom, that's a tragedy, but where's the good parts of the story?" My first thought was, ugh, this is tragic, we need to grieve this. However, Karly especially wanted to talk about and give time to looking into the survivors of the day. I love that their view of life is not only focused on the losses, but also the wins--the good that comes even with the bad. These are the times that I learn from them. How often do we as adults already find ourselves (likely due to life's "yuck") stuck in the "yuck"?

9/11 revisted for ages 7,8 and 33-- and we all walk away with something new to ponder.