December 15, 2012

I sat with Kaydenc for a long time this evening talking about the school shooting yesterday and her innocent wisdom prevailed yet again. She asked me what the names of the beautiful lives lost were. Then she and Lorelei sat and listened solemnly as I read them, tears brimming my eyes.

When I finished, she said “Mommy, it’s really sad so many people died. I don’t understand why there are such bad people in the world. But there were a lot more good people that died than bad, and I think that means there are more good people in the world than bad people.”

I just hugged her and said, “Yes baby, there ARE more good people than bad people… but….”

Then she interrupted before any more of my aged and perhaps jaded wisdom could impart splinters in her perspective…

“There’s always going to be more good people, even when bad things happen.”

I just swallowed and nodded.  8-year-old optimism is just what this weary heart needed.

After I put the kids down to bed, I sat and cried and prayed for the mothers and fathers who were not tucking their children in that very night. I thought about those good people but with a lighter heart despite my grief for them.

This is what Fred Rogers realized as a child.

“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

There are bad people in the world who will try to hurt others, our loved ones, us. But there are more good people in the world. There are more helpers. Even when bad things happen, we must hold fast to hope and life up the good people with love and faith in a better tomorrow.