To all the sadistic, heartless people in the world causing terror and creating darkness for so many innocent people across the world…
I don’t want to know your name. You don’t deserve to be remembered for harming children in bombings, teenagers with your assault rifles, gay, straight, black, white, brown, yellow, pink or purple people with your words and weapons. I won’t remember you for cutting peoples lives too short and tearing families apart. Terror and hate won’t make you famous.
I turned on the news for 30 seconds this morning and heard 11 were killed in a freeway shooting and very quickly turned it back off. I was afraid my 3 year old could hear. I remembered why I don’t dare turn on the news during the day, for if I did I would expose my perfectly innocent babies to the world… and the world is a scary place. The only television that plays in our home is previously recorded Disney Jr., an occasional sports game or talent competition. I want to keep my children’s innocence intact. One day I will have to show them not all people are good, not all people are trustworthy, some are sick with hatred and will not have your best interests at heart. I’m dreading that day, the day I crush their image of the world around them. To them, it is made of ice cream and sparkly rainbows. In reality, too often crime and hate is happening; it doesn’t matter where you live, it is happening.
I hold my girls close and hope that by the time they are old enough to understand the world, it won’t be filled with so much crime. I hope we start reporting on more of the positive in the world, on the people who deserve to be known and remembered for their good-hearted nature. I hope for a peace-filled world where the only issue with color is deciding which color to paint the bedroom wall or what color flowers to plant in the garden.
Please stop the violence and hate. Do it for all of our children growing up in this world. Let’s help give them a place they are proud to call home.
photos courtesy of Jaime Hearts Photography
Let love win.
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Beth Patterson
November 11, 2016 at 9:27 pmYour daughters are beautiful and I’m glad that you are helping them hang on their innocence for as long as possible. I know that there have always been people who hate and hurt, but it seems like there are more of them now. Or maybe they just feel closer due to social media.
aliasullivan
November 17, 2016 at 10:12 amThank you… That definitely could be the case. It might just be more apparent now that I have children of my own to care for and hope for their feature to be bright. Xx
catherinemryan
November 17, 2016 at 9:36 amI am the same way. I do not watch the news, especially with my kids around. But I am trying to let them see me work for good and not just wish for it. For example, I am calling my representatives to let them know my views as a voter and constituent – and I do it in front of my girls. Together, we put together packages for people who are in need. And we talk about issues of social justice, like homelessness, on a kid-level. These things won’t stop the violence out in the world, but we can make a small positive change – and that’s better than doing nothing.
TenThousandHourMama.com
aliasullivan
November 17, 2016 at 10:19 amI agree with you 100% I am a huge advocate of teaching them to do good in the world and that each act of kindness no matter how small makes a difference. We recently took a trip to Mexico and donated with Pack For a Purpose. https://2blondemamas.com/2016/07/22/entreamigos/
I love that you are teaching your children to help people in need. They are our future. Xx
talesfromwalnutstreet
November 18, 2016 at 5:33 pmYou have a beautiful heart! Stay true to yourself and your family will flourish!
aliasullivan
November 18, 2016 at 9:53 pmThank you. That means a lot 💕