From June 2016...
You are a little boy. You are too consumed with Legos to know the terrible things that go on in the world. It is as it should be.
However, one of the reasons for this blog is that you may learn from me in a different way someday down the road. So....
You see I read this quote today. "No matter how old your son is, now is a good time to start talking to
him about how you expect him to be the Swedish bicyclist and not the
Stanford swimmer." -Matthew Levie
In the news, this week is the story of a Stanford swimmer who assaulted a young woman. He claims it was the alcohol that made him do it. I am sure it contributed. The swimmer made bad choices and is unremorseful. For what he did though -the emotional scars the woman will deal with all her life- the punishment was hardly enough. It is a true judicial disgrace. People are all in an uproar.
You can read about all the details just google: "Brock Turner Standford Swimmer"
This quote really struck me though. You know I am all about making the best choice. I give you choices all the time. I spell them out very clearly. I tell you what the consequences will be if you make the wrong choice.
Learning to make a good choice as a child, will help you make good choices as an adult.
I do this because I do want you to be the Swedish bicyclists. They saw something didn't look right and they didn't keep going. They asked the hard questions? They didn't let fear stop them from chasing down the bad guy. They were the heroes in this story.
I want you to be the hero. To be ready to stop and help. To ask the hard questions. To protect the hurt and broken. To do the right thing. I expect it.
As your mom, I will do all that is in my power to help you learn what the best choices are. So when you are tempted or challenged or witness someone who needs your help, you can stand strong and make the right choice. Because heroes aren't made in a moment, they are made one right choice after another.
Be the hero of your story.
