mimi asked me about earthquakes tonight. more specifically, how earthquakes kill people. do they shake you so hard it makes your heart stop? she wondered.
i answered her as carefully as i could (not even sure why she was thinking about earthquakes??? maybe it was from reading too many Magic School Bus books today?!?). i was afraid to make her feel any more worried or scared about natural disasters, which is really terrifying even for me to think about. and mimi tends to be a worrier. i slowly explained that sometimes they are strong enough to make buildings and things fall and that hurts people. even as i was saying it, i was not comfortable telling her such things.
she thought about it for a moment and said, "but it wouldnt hurt people if there were super heroes around." then she adds, sadly, "i wish super heroes were real. then nobody would get hurt. they could stop bad things from happening to people."
then she asked me more questions about earthquakes and why they happened, so we talked about that and she seemed to be really interested in the science of it. then was silent for awhile and then says, do more bad things happen to people or more good things?
we got into a discussion about circumstances and choices and consequences. and in the end, i assured her that our family had more good than bad, our circumstances were good, we tried to make good choices and live a good life, and generally that means we'll have more good in our lives. oh, i get it, she says with a giggle of relief.
and after a few hugs and kisses, she snuggled down in bed and closed her eyes.
our talk tonight made me a little sad. times like this i find myself wishing i could keep her thoughts happy and care free and shield her from any worries.
i answered her as carefully as i could (not even sure why she was thinking about earthquakes??? maybe it was from reading too many Magic School Bus books today?!?). i was afraid to make her feel any more worried or scared about natural disasters, which is really terrifying even for me to think about. and mimi tends to be a worrier. i slowly explained that sometimes they are strong enough to make buildings and things fall and that hurts people. even as i was saying it, i was not comfortable telling her such things.
she thought about it for a moment and said, "but it wouldnt hurt people if there were super heroes around." then she adds, sadly, "i wish super heroes were real. then nobody would get hurt. they could stop bad things from happening to people."
then she asked me more questions about earthquakes and why they happened, so we talked about that and she seemed to be really interested in the science of it. then was silent for awhile and then says, do more bad things happen to people or more good things?
we got into a discussion about circumstances and choices and consequences. and in the end, i assured her that our family had more good than bad, our circumstances were good, we tried to make good choices and live a good life, and generally that means we'll have more good in our lives. oh, i get it, she says with a giggle of relief.
and after a few hugs and kisses, she snuggled down in bed and closed her eyes.
our talk tonight made me a little sad. times like this i find myself wishing i could keep her thoughts happy and care free and shield her from any worries.
Comments
Post a Comment