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First, my salute to all the fallen heroes and heroines who lost their lives following the Westgate Mall terror attack. For sure, their loss is not in vain. This past week, there has been a floodgate of moving stories of triumph and courage in the face of unimaginable horror.
Every media house went out of their way to get remarkable untold stories of survivors.
There was so much Westgate on TV, my daughter Tasha, was concerned. “Mum 'kwani' the bad people (terrorists) are back again? Why are all stations talking about Westgate?”
Now last year when the terror attack happened, I had to explain to her what was going on because it was all over the news. I did my best and explained to her how the bad people had entered a big mall and started shooting people indiscriminately.
I tried to break down the hard facts and explain to her what was happening like she was a two-year-old baby, but she still could not comprehend how somebody could be that callous.
“Mum, why were they shooting children and mummies. Why can’t the police also shoot them?” Just like other children, her mind is so pure and unpolluted; she does not know that there are people in this world who are so evil.
From Tasha’s interrogation, I realised as much as I try to protect her from harm and evil, I need to tell her that in this world not everybody means well for her. There are some evil people who want to maim and kill.
As a parent, it is important not to shield your child from such brutal realities. It is important to tell them that there are evil people like terrorists and murderers. I have been having such sober conversations with her. I want her to be alive to the fact that not everybody means good.
So how can she be safe when such people strike? Should she bank on mummy and daddy? Should she bank on the police? Where should she turn to for help?
This is the lesson I have imprinted in her small mind: “Mummy, daddy, the government and the police can fail but God will never fail when trouble strikes.” This lesson is so ingrained in tiny mind, whenever she is scared, just like me; her first reaction is always, “My God.” Ponder that.
Photo: courtesy
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