Dear Alexandra,
I saw your Facebook update this week after the Boston bombings.
The one that said, “ANOTHER child abduction? Wasn’t there one like two days ago? A bomb yesterday?!? The shooting at Sandy Hook? The shooting at the dark knight rises premiere?? This world is so sick sometimes!!”
And I’ll tell you. As your Dad, I felt so sad for you – and helpless. When there doesn’t’ seem to be a safe place anymore, with violence at schools, colleges, movie theaters, and now even finish lines.
So, I’ve been thinking about what to say to ease your mind. And I keep coming back to this.
We have to love more than they hate.
Yes, the world can be sick. But it can also be beautiful.
After all, just look at what happened immediately after the bombs exploded. How the first responders, volunteers and others rushed to help, not even knowing if there might be other bombs waiting.
And at Sandy Hook, and Aurora, Colorado, and Columbine, where heroes died, protecting others.
And, of course, the list of honor goes on. For every horrible event tracing back through time, there were corresponding moments of grace.
So, if I can say one thing to you, it would be this.
You are the answer to the evil you’ve seen.
Because, like your brothers, you are compassionate and courageous. And that is exactly what is needed in these bitter days.
We have to love more than they hate.
Yes, you will help lead our world through this madness. You and your generation.
Don’t despair, my daughter.
You are kind. And you love.
And that is more than enough to change the world.
I love you,
Dad
