Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Honoring Boston: The Side Walk Chalk Challenge

While watching the coverage of the unfolding massacre in Boston yesterday, my 14 year old son and I, speechless, seeing the carnage that others can inflict on humanity....there was just no sense to the horror..the carnage...the blood. There are so many more things I could say about this horrific act...my husband  is a decorated Marine and fought in combat in Iraq. I'm a native New Englander and consider Boston a part of my childhood...you can't get any more All-American than Boston. And I currently live in OK...where yesterday's attack was a clear reminder of the Oklahoma City bombing that was such a defining moment for our country and the good people of Oklahoma. I discussed with all my children last night, that despite the horror, there were people running to help...their were helpers (to use the Mr. Rodgers message). There were so many more good people there yesterday than bad. That when there is a dark moment, you can be the light. That you can not control what others will do to you, but you can control who you are. And you can be good.

But instead of going into all of the emotions and concerns I have ...

I will simply say that it struck my son and I that there was so much blood.
Blood on American sidewalks.
Not Northern Irish, Israeli, Iraqi, Afghan sidewalks...but American sidewalks.

I'm not naive and I'm not trite, but I feel like I have to do something to sort of take back our sidewalk, even if it is only here in my front yard....to say to my children that their sidewalks should be covered in rainbows, in misspelled words, in smudges of chalk and hop-scotch.  That the little child who was slaughtered while watching his father run a marathon will be forever innocent ..and we'll dedicate our little chalk art sidewalk to him. That his life isn't reduced to blood on a side walk.  That we can not protect our children from violence but we will not let it define their childhood and let the acts of evil men change our quality of life.


So,  today, this week, this weekend I challenge you to find the time to go outside, sit with your child (ren) and draw on your sidewalk. Even at a park. Take your chalk and have at it. Because our children may live in a violent world but it's up to us to show them the simple joys and happiness that life is really all about. So spend time together as a family drawing on a sidewalk. That's what I'll be doing.

XXXOOO.

10 comments:

  1. I love this. Thank you <3
    We'll be drawing on our sidewalk, too.

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  2. Great idea! His sister ran in Saturday's kid race. She lost a leg in the explosion that killed him. Would be nice to get the pictures of sidewalk art to her...just a thought :)

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    1. wow, I didn't know the details...just so horrific. Thank you for commenting and your suggestion. Those poor children. Heartbreaking. I'll post pics and might be talking about the sidewalk chalk challenge coming up every once in a while ;) Thank you for stopping by and for your nice comment. XXXOOO!

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  3. Will do this! Tell your husband thank you for his service!

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    1. hi Amber! thank you! I will, it's times like this that he really misses being in the military...it's what the sacrifice is all about. Thanks for stopping by! XXXOOO!

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  4. I really love this. There were so many things going around these last two days online that seemed contrived and not sincere. I love the thought and the sentiment you show. We will do this!
    Thanks for sharing,
    Kate

    P.S. I'm married to a Marine too ;)

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    1. Hi, KATE! Thank you. I appreciate your comment and I'm glad that it isn't super dorky, was very moved to share something meaningful with my children in the wake of what happened. Semper Fi. XXXOOO.

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  5. so sweet an wonderfully touching, it's sunny in MA today, I will get out and draw with my kiddos today! Found you on the tater tots and jello party!! =)Tiffany
    Breakfast at Tiffany's

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    1. Hi Tiffany,
      Thank you. I'm glad the sun is shining ;)
      Thanks so much for hopping over to see what this was about! I love your blog. XXXOOO.

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