On Tuesday, I picked my children up early from school and explained what had occurred earlier in the day. My son will be ten in a couple of weeks and my daughter is eight.
On our way home, we stopped off in a store where the television was on and showing scenes of the tragedy. My children were full of questions, naturally, and I answered them as best I could, still in a state of numbness and shock myself.
Then came the scenes of the Palestinian children celebrating in the street...I would not have allowed my kids to see this but I had no choice. My daughter watched and then, with eyes large behind her glasses, she said: "Mom, why are those people happy?" I didn't quite know what to say but I explained as best I could that some of these folks had been taught that Americans were evil, bad and so they were happy that we had been attacked. She thought for a moment and then asked me if they hate Americans; when I replied that yes, some did and desperately wishing I knew better how to answer her, she turned those large, uncomprehending eyes again to the children....then, in a very matter of fact voice, she said: "Well Mom, I don't hate them." Simple, innocent, and confident. She wants the people responsible to be punished (my son started out the door Tuesday afternoon announcing that he was going to join the AirForce ) but so far she does NOT hate, nor is she wishing for indiscriminate punishment of those who hate us.
What a lesson for the rest of us whose hearts are grieving and our minds cry out for justice.
Dana
I wanted to add that my heart, as are the hearts of so many around the world, has been heavy and sick since the events of Tuesday. I don't know what to think about the 'proper' course of action for our country to take...I feel much rage towards all of the people involved in the attacks and the governments who may be harboring them. I weep for those who have been touched by this in a personal way, those who have lost mothers, fathers, children, spouses, and other loved ones.