Friday, February 6, 2009
Hope
I was driving home today from running errands, and it must have been right when the Jr. High let out. As I was driving down the street, I saw a large group of girls walking down the street. Ahead of them about 15 feet was a little African girl, in her native clothing, walking all by herself. I don't know why, but it broke my heart to see her walking all by herself. I am sure the girls walking behind her weren't mean, or cruel, they were probably just aloof. I looked back at Lilly sitting there in her car seat and just thought to myself, I hope that Lilly will be the girl that asks her to come walk with them, or includes the girl even though she is different. Anton and I have talked a lot about this and how we will make sure that Lilly knows the importance of being kind and including other people. I know teenagers are silly sometimes, but all I can do is hope that Lilly is sweet and kind and willing to include the "under dog". Why it hit me today so hard, I don't know.
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8 comments:
I get that feeling all the time. One of my worst fears is having a child that mistreats others. I try to talk to Stella about including everyone all the time. When we first moved into our neighborhood, Stella was just 2. We were playing at the park and there was a little boy about 5 years old there with a friend and his mom said "Preston, you go over there and invite that little girl to play with you!" I was so impressed, he didn't need to, he was much older than her and he already had a friend there. I certainly didn't expect him to want to play with a 2 year old. His mom then said to me "he doesn't have many friends at school, so I always want to make sure he includes everyone so that no one has to feel the way he does when no one will play with him." It hit me hard. Then last summer a little girl in the neighborhood had a birthday party and invited EVERY kid in the neighborhood except for the little girl (who happened to be the only non mormon) that lived directly next to them. All of the sudden I saw her little face poke up over the fence to see every kid in the neighborhood out playing while she sat on a swing alone in her back yard. To this day it angers me to think about.
Beautiful post! I feel the exact same way. I know there were many times I could have reached out more and wish that I did. Love the pic of the girls! Those beautiful eyes of Lilly always do pop... even when she isn't even looking at the camera!!!
Oh man! I get so choked up when I see scenes like that. I can't stand it. You (and me one day) have such a huge responsibility to raise our children right.
I hope you don't mind I found your blogg and read it. How cute is your little family. You look like you guys have had so much, I haven't see you forever I hope everything is going well.
How different the world would be if we'd all reach out a little more. It's starts in the home is all I know for sure! Could you even imagine someone not including your child b/c of something that happened to be different from them. I'm so glad you are teaching Lilly the real meaning of love... we are all different and that's what makes us beautiful! Who knows what type of influence we can have on someone and to miss out on that for a difference is so sad! I know you are a great woman but this makes me think that and love you even more from this post! Hopefully it will get passed on and we can all be a little bit better! Loved talking to you Friday! muah!
you are so sweet. just by you being aware of situations like that puts you ahead of most people. lily is lucky to have you as a role model because you are SO caring and thoughtful. i worry about these kinds of things too.
I see situations like that now that I am a mom and can't help but getting a little teary thinking of the sweet little girl walking alone. I feel the great weight of responsibility as a parent too and hope that we can teach our children when to reach out. I definitely have become much more aware of how I treat people and what I say now, knowing that my baby girl could be watching or listening.
I'm sure Lilly will be like that because that is totally how you are! You're good at including everyone and making them feel welcome. Plus, you're freaking hilarious and you always make everyone around you laugh and have a good time!!
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