I looked up “School Massacre” on Wikipedia and, of course, it is already updated with the Virginia Tech tragedy along with a long list of other school shootings I had forgotten. Do you remember the Russian school that was stormed by gunmen and over 350 died? or perhaps the shooting at Red Lake High School in Minnesota in 2005?
As a culture, I am always fascinated our ability to be emotionally moved by such tragedies. Is it because we mourn for the lives that were cut short, or is it the violation of sacred places such as schools and churches, or perhaps it’s a fear that makes us realize how vulnerable both our lives are, as well as the lives of those we love? Imagine living in Iraq where this type of massacre happens nearly everyday. Is their grief any greater or the sense of loss stronger? Has it become so routine, that their senses are dull from the enormous loss suffered as a society? I would love to know what the typical Iraqi feels when a nation of 300 million puts the death of 32 people at center stage. Do you have a feeling of sadness, or disbelief at such distortion when compared to current Iraqi deaths?
In spite of this situation we move on as people, and more specifically, we have chosen to hear, but not overwhelm our minds with this news.
As I mentioned several weeks ago, Gavin informed us that he wanted to learn to ride his bike without training wheels. I spent time at a local school running back and forth trying to ingrain a sense of balance in him, but he seemed off kilter as he giggled throughout the practice. Do to schedules, and weather, it has been a while sense we last attempted to ride.
So, at his urging, we went back to the school to give it another shot. Well, we are pleased to announce that Gavin is now a full fledge bike rider! As we left the school both riding our two-wheeled bikes, he lost his balance and careened off the road and into the bushes. Once he stopped he laughed and said, “Boy, I’m glad that was not poison oak!” I suppose he has adapted quite well to the local culture. Back on the road, we weaved and wobbled our way toward home until we reached a fairly steep hill. Gavin hopped off his bike and I was asking him various questions about learning to ride and what he thought. Suddenly he changed the topic and asked, “Dad, when do you think shoes were first invented? Do you think it was in caveman days or bible days? I think it was bible days but maybe it was caveman days too…..” He continued to talk about shoes until we reached the top of the hill.
As we reached the top and wobbled down the other side, Gavin lead a procession of cars and trucks all unwilling to pass the kid on his bike who, somehow, managed to take up both sides of the road, or at least threatened it.
Do you remember the first time you rode a bike? What a sweet feeling it was to feel in control as you flew around the block. Today as I rode beside Gavin I was thinking of all the things he must be feeling inside. I am a firm believer that to build confidence within a child, it should be built on real events and not artificial attempts.
Today we celebrated one of those events.
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