I’d like to be able to promise my children I’ll keep them safe…always.
I’d like to wrap them up in cotton wool and hide them away on a remote island.
I’d like to tell them there are no baddies in the world, only good people.
I’d like to always hold their hand wherever they go.
I’d like to stop them from ever witnessing violence and abuse.
I’d like to protect their ears from hearing bad words, their eyes from seeing bad things.
I’d like them to never experience hate, loss or prejudice.
I’d like to keep them wrapped up in a soft quilt of love and protection.
But I’d also like them to explore the world.
I’d like them to experience new tastes, sounds, people.
I’d like them to experience the joy of trying new things.
I’d like them to feel how people can love and look out for one another.
I’d like them to know that for every monster out there there are a thousand angels.
And most of all I’d like them to live life to the full, no matter how much that terrifies me.
Because those who have been cruelly snatched away from their loved ones can no longer do that.
Children, parents, brothers, sisters, friends who have been innocent victims of evil in our world.
Most recently in Manchester and London.
I’d like to dedicate this to them and their families.
And promise them we will let our children go; to experience life without fear.
That’s what I’d like to do.
I have amazingly made it into the finals of the Brilliance in Blogging Awards 2017 under the Fresh Voice category.
I would be so grateful for your vote if you like what you read at S.H.I.T.
You can do it here, and I will be forever indebted to you!
B
This is so wonderful. You have shared some really great things to strive for – we can hold our children, shelter them, and teach them right from wrong. Then we hope that it all makes a difference.
(I think it does.)
Author
I think it does too and our children need to experience life for themselves, no matter how much that scares us as parents. Thx for your lovely comment x
And I would like to commend you for writing something so amazing! This is absolutely spot on! Loved it!!! Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime ????
Author
Thank you so much for your amazing comment. Wish I hadn’t had to write it, but tragically it’s become a part of our world. xx
What a lovely post! Wouldn’t we all like to wrap them in bubble wrap and protect them from the world? I think it is a brave and honest tribute to victims of violence to encourage your children to live life to the fullest. Loved it. #ablogginggoodtime
Author
Bubble wrap is exactly how I’d like to protect them, with layers of cotton wool too but what kind of life would that be for them. They need to get out there and explore this wonderful world where there are so many good people. Thx for reading xx
Yes, exactly!
Brilliant, I love it. As an adopted Mancunian this has hit very close to home, but keeping our children wrapped in cotton wool , however much we want to, is no life for them. As has often been said, we have to give them roots and wings. #BrilliantBlogPosts
Author
It’s so terrifying to let them go, but we can’t keep them hidden away, not experiencing the joy of life. My initial reaction was to keep my kids away from all danger but it’s impossible and wouldn’t be fair to them. Thx for reading x
Rereading this the next day and I still love every word. This deserves much wider circulation and recognition, It would help so many. #KCACOLS
Author
Thx for your thoughtful words. Love you to share it. Wish I hadn’t had to write it, too sad but the tragic reality of our world these days. xx
And it shouldn’t be much to ask for, yet it is? I would like the same things as you.
#PostsFromTheHeart
Author
I just hope our children aren’t too frightened themselves – it was a hard one to talk to them about. How do you explain something so horrific that it’s unexplainable. Thx for reading xx
Beautiful! #GlobalBlogging
Author
Thank you for reading and sharing xx
lovely tribute. just heartbreaking isnt it x
Beautiful post and a lovely tribute. Thank you for sharing. #AnythingGoes
Author
Thanks for reading and commenting Sarah. It was hard to write after the hideous bombing but felt it was so important. x
This is so perfect, I think a lot of parents can relate to your fears but also your wishes. When something like this appalling attack happens it can be hard to want to do anything more than hold our babies close, but if we live in fear we’re giving these lunatics exactly what they want. It’s a hard balance to find, to trust a world that doesn’t always deserve it.
#PostsFromTheHeart
Author
You’re so right in your words – it’s a hard balance to find, to trust a world that doesn’t always deserve it. What a brilliant way to word it. Thank you for your thoughtful comment Sadie x
This is beautiful. I too would love to wrap my daughter in cotton wool. The Manchester bombing really hit home for me as it is only 15 minutes away from me. Two of the beautiful victims of the bombing were from my town. It is scary how close to home it is. I want to stay at home with my daughter and never leave so I know she is safe. I know that is unrealistic and if we do, they have won. So we will go out and live lives to the fullest. Because you never know what is just around the corner. #TriumphantTales
Author
Oh my goodness, you must have been effected so much as it’s all so close to you. I can’t believe that your town is mourning two of the victims, I am so sorry. We are all feeling the horror of it but from a distance, so I can’t imagine what it is like for you up in Manchester. My thoughts are with you all. Let’s hug those babies close, but let them experience the adventures that life has to offer. Thx for reading xx
I think you sum up totally how as parents looking over all of this horrible news, we all really feel. A real touching tribute. Thank you for linking up to #TriumphantTales, I hope to see you back again next week 🙂
This is brilliant, it’s so hard being a parent. It’s so hard to find the balance because what we want for them is so conflicting! Great post.
#stayclassymama
Author
I know Jenny, it’s a hard balance as we want to wrap them up in cotton wool, but also want them to experience all the amazing adventures that life has to offer. Thx for commenting x
Me too,
#AnythingGoes
Author
Thanks for reading Heather x
This is a very beautiful post. It’s heartbreaking to think about all the injustice going on in the world. Thank you so much for sharing with #StayClassyMama
This is really lovely – I’ve often felt like shutting the door and keeping everyone close but I don’t as I know it’s not the answer. Thanks for linking to #sharewithme
Author
It’s so tempting to whisk them off to the middle of nowhere, but what fun would that be for them. They need to live their lives. Thanks for reading xx
Very well put. A perfect articulation of what we all are feeling, this week and every other #KCACOLS
What a beautiful dedication. It’s so hard to strike the balance between allowing our children to live and experience things, and protecting them, isn’t it? xx #fortheloveofBLOG
Author
It really is, as much as I’d like to protect them from everything, that’s not real life. They are asking me so many questions about it all, and I can’t shield them from the harsh reality really. Thx for reading Aleena and commenting x
This is it exactly. As a parent, we want to do all we can to shield and protect our children and you express this so eloquently. #HumpDayLinky
Author
Thank you for such a lovely comment. I would love to wrap my kids up in bubble wrap but then what fun would that be for them? Actually quite a lot as they love bubble wrap, but not in real life. They need to experience all the joys that life has to offer and not live in fear. xx
Truly devastating and a horrifying world we are living in 🙁
Thanks for linking up #KCACOLS
P.S Love your blog. I shall be voting for you in Bibs
Author
Aw love you, that’s made my day. It may just be you voting, but that’s enough for me. Thx for your support and for this lovely comment. I’m a fan of yours too. Similar SOH I think xx
Very well said. We just want to protect our children from all harm but we have to let them explore and discover and that means letting go too x
#globalblogging
Author
It’s so important for them not to live in fear and live as full a life as possible. Thank you for reading Helen x
This is beautiful! All I can say is me too!! #ablogginggoodtime
Author
Thanks Alisa for your lovely comment. xx
Beautiful post. Thanks for linking up to #globalblogging
Author
Thanks for reading and hosting #globalblogging x
So many atrocities happen in the world, and I too want to protect my daughter from it all. However, I know she needs to live her own life and not live in fear. If we live in fear, then those who wish to cause fear have won. Thank you for sharing such an inspiring post with us at #fortheloveofBLOG.
Author
I’d love to whip my kids away from it all but in reality, where are they ever safe really? We never know what’s around the corner but they must live their lives to the full to experience all the joys. Thank you for reading and hosting x
A lovely tribute! That part where you say, “for every monster there are a thousand angels” … We need to remember that more! Thanks for sharing with us !! #globalblogging
Author
Thank you for reading and commenting. I keep reiterating to my children that there are so many good people out there that we have to focus on. x
Wow that is amazing! You totally rock. Seeing incredible pieces like this one makes me realise that I have no chance in winning anything @ the BiBs but that aside. This really is amazing! #sharewithme
Author
That is such awesome positive feedback, thank you. But I beg to differ, I think you have every chance of winning something in the BiBs. Thx for such an amazing comment, made my day! xx
Just horrendous isn’t it. Sometimes the world is just too hard.
Author
Too sad and too awful for words really. Thx for commenting x
This was truly touching!
Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes 🙂
Debbie
Author
Thank you Debbie. I just had to write something to show that we will carry on, we will not live in fear. x
Author
Thanks again Debbie x
Beautifully written,this brought a tear to my eye, very touching x
Author
Thank you for your lovely comment. xx
This is truly beautiful. I think you’ve perfectly captured what most parents are feeling right now x
#FabFridayPost
Author
Thanks Alana – I just wish I hadn’t had to write it but sadly it’s a part of the world we live in now. My thoughts are just with those who have lost their loved ones so tragically. Thx for commenting x
I would like to wrap my babies up in cotton wool and protect them from everything #postsfromtheheart
This is so beautiful! It sadden me when there are all these horrible things going on around us. Thank you for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost
Author
It was a hard one to write but wanted to dedicate something to all those innocent victims and their families. Thx for reading xx
Reading this today after the terrible events of the weekend makes it even more moving and profound. You are absolutely right, I want to protect my two in a bubble and keep them safe but in doing so I am denying them so many experiences and so much adventure. I would like to not have to worry, but the fact is that we now have to. The best we can do is teach them to see and embrace the thousand angels. Thanks so much for linking with #DreamTeam x
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on #sharewithme – so very true and very well put. I do feel the need to lock the doors and stay away from everything but I also want to show my children the world.
This is such a wonderful post #bigpinklink
Author
Thank you for your lovely comment. Hard to write but important. xx
I think we’re feeling exactly the same here. Desperate to strike a balance but finding it so so hard! Hopefully things will get better somehow. Thanks for linking up with us. #bigpinklink
I wish for all these things for my children too. It’s hard to strike the right balance between keeping them safe and letting them learn about the world isn’t it? Beautifully written #KCACOLS