At noon, my five year old grandson Aiden returned from kindergarten excited to share all of the news of his morning at school.
With only one reminder, he hung up his backpack and settled in for lunch.
For such a little guy he eats a lot.
Then again, we had races up and down the stairs this morning before school. He always won! Not setting a good example, I know! Then again, aren’t visiting Grandmothers allowed some leeway?
As we talked over lunch he told me about a drill that they had practiced at school.
“Oh, a fire drill?” I asked.
“No, Oma,” he replied sternly. “A drill in case bad people come to our school and we have to hide!”
I stopped talking and digested this information.
He is napping now.
I think of him and his school mates who rode the bus this morning.
I think of the children of Aleppo.
Reality sneaks its ugly head in our lives in ways we can not imagine.
“There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace.”
— Kofi Annan
Read more about my visit to Denver in Sunday Thoughts
Lori Greer in Portland 
Times are so different now than they were when we were young.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad but true. Thank you for reading my post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always enjoy your posts, Lori.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are caretakers of this planet for those who come after us, we must protect them both. How terrible is it when we have to teach our children to hide i n one of the two places they should be most safe in.
xxx Huge Hugs Lori xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a sad time for our children and for all of us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Huge hugs, Lori
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh Lori, from smiling reading about your races etc. I suddenly ended up with a knot in my stomach and a lump in my throat. May they stay safe. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind response. Keeping all children safe must be a priority but it seems unlikely in our world today. Heartbreaking.
LikeLike
When we think of this situation , and how we react, what must go through their little minds…. And there is nothing we can do to help them, except love them with all our hearts x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, they must perceive the world as a terrifying place. My world felt so safe. My biggest worry as a kid was my older brother picking on me.
LikeLike
yes sadly, times have changed, and not for the better………..
LikeLike
i think grandmothers hold a wide berth as far as having fun with our grandies. as a teacher of young children and a grandmother myself, it makes me sad about these drills, as i’ve had to do them in my school as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aiden and I do have fun. He is non-stop energy! So inquisitive and so sweet. I hate that children are subjected to the terrors of war and unrest in the world including our neighborhoods.
LikeLike
A terrible burden for our children, that they be saddled with knowledge of hatred before they are old enough to take care of the world we leave them. How lucky Aiden has you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think our world has been violent for a long time but we get immune when we only see news reports from far away lands. Now, it is more and more in our backyards. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Aiden is a joy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The world that these little ones lives in is so sad. My heart aches when I watch how worried my grandchildren are about ‘stranger danger’ when I had such a ‘free’ innocent and beautiful childhood.
We must make the life we have with them rich in beauty, love and Hope to compensate don’t we. as the remark above states we must LOVE them with all our hearts indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we must love them with all of our hearts. Somehow we have to make the lives of all children safer and better. Lori
LikeLike
Your post is a good reminder of how our world has changed. Your love and time with him are so important. For both of you, in so many ways!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rick, time spent with my grandson is the best. I love seeing the world through his eyes. Happy Thanksgiving, Lori
LikeLike
When I was in school, there were air-raid drills. When my children were in school, there were fire drills. Now, my grandchildren, like yours, have mass casualty drills. Such a sad, sad world we live in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would love for all children to grow up in safety with proper food, love and a future. I believe that all children deserve a good life. Take care, Lori
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was smiling until he told you why they were doing the drill…then a chill went down my spine…..I remember in 2nd grade way back when going through the drills of getting under your desk when the town sirens went off and a brown out followed….just incase the enemy were coming in planes to bomb us…I lived on the west coast near Seattle…..my how the circle always comes back around…..scary world we live in these days….Happy Thanksgiving to and your family….xxkat
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gosh – it’s just so sad that we have to teach them about such things at such a young age. My 7 year old granddaughter showed me a little song with actions that they’ve been taught at school to remember the number of ‘childline’ which is a telephone helpline for children to report abuse… So Sad but sadly So Necessary! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sobering words to come so nonchalantly from such a little one. It’s sad that this is their real world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your grandson says it so matter of factly! He is a smart lad!
LikeLiked by 1 person