Choose Love

Dear Jackson,

As I write this you are talking softly to your stuffed animals while you try to fall asleep in your crib.

You know nothing of what happened on Monday. You know nothing of bombs, or terror or tragedy or loss. And I wish I could always keep these things from you. Keep you safe from harm and violence.

I’m grateful that you are too young for me to have to discuss this event with you, just as grateful as I was in December to not have to explain Sandy Hook to you.

Because honestly mom has no words or explanation for these events, just sadness and anger.

Sadness because I’ve been down this road before. I’ve watched the tragedies unfold, far too often. I was a senior in High School when Columbine happened, 9/11/01 was my first day of college. These events, these senseless tragedies happen far to often.

And it makes me angry. Angry that there seems to be no stopping the violence, angry about what hasn’t been done to keep weapons out of the hands of those who should never hold them. Angry that we cycle through this again and again. Angry that violence seems to be the norm.

And sometimes mom holds on to this anger. I’m angry that I can’t protect you from the bad, the ugly, the cruel and the violent.

I want you to know that your mama believes in love, kindness, understanding, faith and forgiveness. And I want you to know that I raised you with these things in mind.

You need to know that your mama sees good in this world even when it is hard to. And most days I see that good in you, in the promise that your smile is the future of this country. That maybe your generation will get it right.

Your Mama she has never held a gun, she’s never shot anything, she’s never made a bomb or played violent games. These things never filled my heart, they never brought me joy and they never will.

Build your life with out violence my son. Build it with hope and love and joy. Build it with your brain and not with your fists.

Choose love, above all else choose love.