Once, I went on a date with a guy who was, to put it mildly, a bit quirky. He had some unusual dinner habits and, to top it off, he left the restaurant with our unfinished bottle of wine tucked away in his coat. But amid his eccentricities, he said something that struck a chord: “You’re one of those tortured souls, aren’t you? You seem to thrive on the misery of the news and all the dreadful things happening in the world.” Needless to say, that was our first and last date, but he had an uncanny insight into my character.
I do have a bit of an obsession with keeping up with the grim realities of the world. Every day, the news brings a fresh wave of tragedies—from the latest mass shootings to the chaos in the Middle East and even bizarre health scares like brain-eating amoebas. I often joke with my husband that it feels like we’re on a one-way trip to disaster.
I remember my brother grappling with similar thoughts after 9/11, questioning whether it was selfish to bring my nephew into a world so fraught with danger. How could he protect his child when he sometimes felt vulnerable himself?
Amid the chaos, life goes on—babies are born every day, continuing the circle of life despite the turmoil. As caregivers, we can only instill in them the importance of helping others. In times of distress, they need to learn to seek out the helpers, just like Mr. Rogers advised.
Life can often feel like a series of before-and-after moments, especially as a parent. I live in a world marked by the shadows of Columbine and Newtown. There are days when my children say or do something that pierces my heart, reminding me that somewhere out there, a parent is mourning their child. Someone is grieving as they pass by a bus stop once filled with laughter, or winces at memories tied to a favorite café.
Still, despite my tendency to dwell on the negatives, I’m continually inspired by the resilience of the human spirit. For every news report of violence, countless stories emerge highlighting kindness and generosity—a stranger buying coffee for the person behind them, a family’s bill being covered at a local diner, or someone stepping up to help others in need. The more some try to suppress the human spirit, the more it fights back with love and compassion.
Just yesterday, I had one of those parenting days that you’d rather forget. Honestly, it was one of the worst I’ve had in five years. My kids complained nonstop, and instead of showing patience, I raised my voice and slammed doors. Talk about a meltdown! I fell into bed feeling utterly defeated.
But this morning, everything changed. My boys came out of their room, sleepily grinning and filled with joy. “Good morning, Mommy!” they chimed, sharing their delightful dreams. It was a fresh start, a reminder of unconditional love at its finest. It hit me then: I need to embrace each day like they do, filled with the belief that love and, most importantly, hope endure.
Choose hope. It’s everything.
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In summary, while the world can feel overwhelming and challenging, the essence of hope and human connection remains powerful. We must nurture that spirit in ourselves and in our children, fostering kindness and resilience amidst the chaos.