war is harmful to children and other living things

[primroseburrows]

I usually don't like news stories that are broadcast just for sentiment factor. This one is an exception, because it shows what kids of soldiers are going through.

This story is obviously meant to show a happy homecoming, and it does, but it also shows the trauma the kids have had. I mean, just look at the expression on that little kid's face. Kids that little don't usually cry when they're happy, they cry when they're in pain. I can't even imagine what level of pain these little ones are in, and that's just the kids of the soldiers who come home outside of a box.

*screams at Dubya* See that, you cretin? THIS is what you're doing to American kids (and Iraqi kids, but that's a whole new level of tragedy). Honestly, how do you sleep?

Comments

[lupin-spirit.livejournal.com]

I knew I shouldn't watch that...

I didn't tell my kids that their father was coming home (on leave or at end) until we were on the way to the airport to get him. Things get fouled up way to often and there was no way I was going to put them through the agony a change of plans would have caused.

As it was I got flack from their schools for keeping them home the rest of the week. (Wed/Thur/Fri) Keep a normal schedule, my ass. For the first two days Fox couldn't hardly bring himself go to the bathroom if it meant having to leave the room his father was in and Ivy: she wouldn't leave Devon's lap for anything.


I had an absolutely awful epiphany a couple days ago.

I have this vision/memory of Ivy as the carefree, grinning, confident, fearless and outgoing two-year-old she was prior to Devon's deployment. In my heart that's who she is, not the meek, solemn, cautious child she is now. I think I need to let that go. She has not been that child for almost 4 years and she never will be again.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

For the first two days Fox couldn't hardly bring himself go to the bathroom if it meant having to leave the room his father was in and Ivy: she wouldn't leave Devon's lap for anything.

Kids aren't stupid. I don't think for a minute they're not aware not only that their dad/mom is away for an indefinite period, but that there's a very real chance they might not come back.

*hugs*

[ruthless1.livejournal.com]

That just gave me goosebumps and made me very sad. I send good vibes your way for all of you.

[topaz7.livejournal.com]

Oh, that must be so sad for you (and her, of course). I hope she will be the happy , confident child again. I really do.

[lupin-spirit.livejournal.com]

It's not that she isn't confident, she is, it's just a more mature confidence. Instead of the invincible confidence of childhood that leads you to believe you can do anything, she stands back and watches and plans and then carefully goes about doing whatever the task is.

And it's not that she isn't a happy child, it's different, though. There is a carefree innocent happiness that only children seem to possess. She is more serious now and seems to know that happiness is transitory.

We expect that at some point between childhood and adulthood these things will happen. That confidence will be founded in skill and experience rather that ill placed (and potentially dangerous) feelings of invincibility.

And all children eventually loose the innocence that allows them to expect only happy things from life... It just breaks my heart that she was a toddler when she had to learn that life can be hard and that parents aren't all powerful and that there are things they can't fix. She deserved better.