Sunday, January 18, 2009

Little Girls Big World

My wise friend Pmom's post about getting ready for the inauguration reminded me how wonderfully blessed we are to live in this country, at this time. And that I should talk to my children about it.

"We can share this with our children as we explain why having our first African American president is a big deal. And how amazing it is, given the scope of human history, that President Bush will simply go home and President Obama will simply move in. No one will bleed or lose his head."

We take that for granted, don't we?

The other day I read about violence in Pakistan, specifically a recounting of the girl who'd had acid thrown in her face on her way to school and the large number of girls' schools that have been destroyed by militants who think that educating girls is "un-Islamic."

My friend Amanda just finished Three Cups of Tea (see post of same title from December 2007) and yesterday we chatted about the inspiring story of the truly amazing Greg Mortensen going into this difficult and dangerous part of the world and doing so much good. I wondered if some of the schools destroyed were "his."

Tomorrow my girls have a holiday from school, thanks to MLK, and the next day is President Obama's inauguration. I am grateful for their inncence, for the blessed circumstances of their lives, but I want them to know why they have a holiday and that this inauguration is special. I am thrilled for all the little girls who will grow up seeing Sasha and Malia in the White House. And my heart aches for those girls in Pakistan.

3 comments:

Mimi said...

ah, touching post. I have 3 cups on hold at the library.

Angela said...

Sharon, you know that I'm desperate for comments, but I have to say, your plug for my post is even better than a comment. Thanks!

Kent Brockman said...

It feels good to have good people in the White House, doesn't it. (That is not a comment on the Bush family).