A tragic, horrific crime was committed in our small community, less than a mile from our home. A five year old little boy was killed by his 17 year old foster brother. Crime, in our rural community, generally consists of petty theft, speeding and the like....not something of this horrific, unexplainable nature.
Lucas and Eli aren't the only ones with questions and fears about this crime but as a parent trying to explain the answers to their questions while not giving anything but facts (within reason) is near to impossible. They were hearing so many things at school and it has been very confusing to them.
They individually approached us to ask their questions and talk it over. I can only say that as they sat here and processed everything, the one prevailing thing that they both kept voicing was, "But he was just a little boy.....but this is America. You mean really bad things happen here?"
No matter how we try to protect our kids sometimes the world and violence intrude into their lives. Oh the questions they asked break my heart, "Mom, why didn't their mom protect the little boy?" "Why would a brother kill his brother?" "Was the little boy afraid?" "Did he hurt?"
I've never known either of the boys to maintain any degree of quiet for an extended amount of time....for the last two days since this tragedy occurred.....they are quiet, playing together without arguments, staying close to either Mike or I....generally they are trying to reestablish their feeling of safety.
We can give our kids the world and then the world can come screaming into our serenity and blow a hole in the foundation you are attempting to build. There is prayer for the family involved...unimaginable.......and prayer for our communities' children as they struggle to understand.
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