I've been posting articles I find useful and respectful about mental illness on Facebook in the wake of events at Sandy Hook Elem. This editorial, by one of the favorites, Andrew Sullivan, remarks on his own childhood with a mentally ill parent. Suddenly I am thinking of these recent Newtown CT events in a different light. As the wonderous Dar Williams sings: "Sometimes I think, my father, too, was a refugee. And though they tried to keep their pain from me, they did not know what it was for." What, indeed, is pain for? Perhaps for lighting the way to truth with all the questions that will help us get there.
We may not all have been refugees from the same kind of homefront battles, but most children suffer the greater or smaller pains of growing up with human (rather than perfect) beings for parents. I grew up with wonderful human parents, who grew up with wonderful human parents. My husband and I are doing the best we can to be human parents, wonderful more and less.
I liked President Obama's questions in his speech last night. Is this really the best we can do for our children? I also like his assurance as he reminds us that we can't go wrong when we're showing acts of kindness. I don't think I'm ready to say this is the best we can do to be healthy and kind in our society. I'm already thinking about what I will change to make my contribution. Questioning the status quo will be the first step.
