We had a bible study a few weeks back and the question was 'where, when, what , how ... do you pray'. I could write a whole separate blog about these questions. But one of them that weighs on my mind constantly is the 'what'.
What do I pray for? This is what I said ... Safety of my kids as they run and play around ... as they bump their heads ... safety of my husband as he puts on his helmet and rides his bicycle to work.
My heart still beats faster when I think about Sandy hook Elementary!
I was recently talking with Suresh about checking out some schools for Isaac for next year. I have moments when I want to completely give up the mere thought of homeschooling. It seems like every time I venture towards the thought of formal schooling ... someone says something ... somewhere something happens and I have to stop and rethink schooling.
You may say .... 'oh no Sandy hook will never happen in India!' Really .... look around. Lots of people I know say ... 'oh its the culture in the US'. Really see what our children are watching 'Hannah montana'!. What kind of video games are they playing? Everything techie we get in the US... we now get here in India too! We give our children guns during Diwali to break crackers .... I watched my nephew and his friends play with it while pointing it at each other and bursting crackers. Why for Isaac's third birthday someone presented him with a toy gun! Suresh immediately picked it up and put it on top of the cupboard. When I suggested re-gifting he said ' I dont want it in my son's hands or anyone else's son's hands'
Another common thing I hear people here in India say ... 'oh they are reaping what they sow' ... really ... In my craziest nightmares I hope no one ever puts a blanket statement like that on me or my country. This being said India is currently reeling in the terror of a 23 year old girl abused! Being the mother of a 1 year old daughter ... I hope I never have to hear anyone say that 'they are reaping what they sow'. Not one of those 27 children's parents would like to hear it and so I beg those that think that way to reconsider and look at your families before you pass a statement.
Finally I think of the teacher who put herself in between the shooter and her class.
A few months ago we were at an outdoor restaurant that is infamous for friendly visitors - monkeys. While we got our breakfast plates together one particular monkey actually jumped onto my plate and stole an 'idli'. I shusshed him while holding Ziva. He hissed back and jumped onto my table. I could hear people around screaming 'Hold Ziva...' I was too terrified and put my hands over my ears and started to scream. Some one brought a stick and got rid of the monkey. I turned to look at 6 month crying Ziva, who was untouched but terrified by all the screaming. I felt like a lousy mother ... I hear the story of this teacher and I wonder what she must have been thinking ....
"I Say A Little Prayer"
The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup
I say a little pray for you
While combing my hair now
And wondering what dress to wear now
I say a little prayer for you
Forever and ever, you'll stay in my heart
And I will love you
Forever and ever, we never will part
Oh, how I love you
Together, forever, that's how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me
What do I pray for? This is what I said ... Safety of my kids as they run and play around ... as they bump their heads ... safety of my husband as he puts on his helmet and rides his bicycle to work.
My heart still beats faster when I think about Sandy hook Elementary!
I was recently talking with Suresh about checking out some schools for Isaac for next year. I have moments when I want to completely give up the mere thought of homeschooling. It seems like every time I venture towards the thought of formal schooling ... someone says something ... somewhere something happens and I have to stop and rethink schooling.
You may say .... 'oh no Sandy hook will never happen in India!' Really .... look around. Lots of people I know say ... 'oh its the culture in the US'. Really see what our children are watching 'Hannah montana'!. What kind of video games are they playing? Everything techie we get in the US... we now get here in India too! We give our children guns during Diwali to break crackers .... I watched my nephew and his friends play with it while pointing it at each other and bursting crackers. Why for Isaac's third birthday someone presented him with a toy gun! Suresh immediately picked it up and put it on top of the cupboard. When I suggested re-gifting he said ' I dont want it in my son's hands or anyone else's son's hands'
Another common thing I hear people here in India say ... 'oh they are reaping what they sow' ... really ... In my craziest nightmares I hope no one ever puts a blanket statement like that on me or my country. This being said India is currently reeling in the terror of a 23 year old girl abused! Being the mother of a 1 year old daughter ... I hope I never have to hear anyone say that 'they are reaping what they sow'. Not one of those 27 children's parents would like to hear it and so I beg those that think that way to reconsider and look at your families before you pass a statement.
Finally I think of the teacher who put herself in between the shooter and her class.
A few months ago we were at an outdoor restaurant that is infamous for friendly visitors - monkeys. While we got our breakfast plates together one particular monkey actually jumped onto my plate and stole an 'idli'. I shusshed him while holding Ziva. He hissed back and jumped onto my table. I could hear people around screaming 'Hold Ziva...' I was too terrified and put my hands over my ears and started to scream. Some one brought a stick and got rid of the monkey. I turned to look at 6 month crying Ziva, who was untouched but terrified by all the screaming. I felt like a lousy mother ... I hear the story of this teacher and I wonder what she must have been thinking ....
"I Say A Little Prayer"
The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup
I say a little pray for you
While combing my hair now
And wondering what dress to wear now
I say a little prayer for you
Forever and ever, you'll stay in my heart
And I will love you
Forever and ever, we never will part
Oh, how I love you
Together, forever, that's how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me
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