9/11 for preschoolers

the ten year anniversary of 9/11 didn’t enter our school family conversations.
we won’t have school on monday, so maybe it won’t find it’s way in on tuesday.
but the messages of conflict, war, violence, pain, suffering, abuse,
redemption, love, hope, resolution and justice remain.
back in 2001, we were in the same classroom we are in now.

i was 7 months pregnant with micah and 3 year old naomi was in the classroom.
we were up to our elbows in playdough and covering paper with crayon.
there were no cell phones, no radio, no tv in our room.
i found out from mamas who came in bewildered and confused,
wondering if they should leave their children.
most did.
for 2 more hours there were children in my care.
for 2 more hours, i would build a bubble.
for 2 more hours, i would not let the terror enter.
for 2 more hours, i would keep them in the bliss of ignorance.

10 years later, when there are images and stories that can make all of us ache,
i want young children to have this message from fred rogers:

“When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”