Finding Deeper Meaning

It has been entirely too long since I have written anything of substance here on Living and Loving Every Minute of It.  Finding myself spread way too thin these days, I struggle to even take the time to throw a few photos up on the old blog.  I have missed my old style of blogging, and hope that soon I can take the time I need to continue to share my more intimate thoughts on life and all it's treasures.

Earlier tonight, as I snuggled on the couch with The Hubby, I experienced a moment of great emotion.  While watching a very simple, and some would say, silly Christmas movie, I found the deeper meaning so much more than my tender heart could handle.  As I sat in a puddle of tears, and my body shook with sobs of heartache, I felt compelled to write a little something about it.

Fred Claus, on the surface is not an exceptional movie.  In fact, I had heard less than nothing about it.  I simply enjoy Christmas movies, so I randomly placed it in my Netflix queue.  I had not a single expectation for this movie to live up to.  I just hoped to be filled with some Holiday joy, and to have a few giggles.  I was not disappointed in the least.  I found the movie to have a few really humorous moments, and at one point, I actually wanted to get up and dance.  It wasn't until the last 15 or 20 minutes that it became apparent the message was much deeper than anyone would expect, and yet I am fairly certain it wouldn't have affected everyone as it did me.

A unique combination, of my line of work, recent intensive trainings on the methods used by Child Molesters, today's trip to several stores where worn out parents were shopping, and this very movie was enough to bring home a hard reality.  As I sat there watching a fun holiday movie in my cozy little home, snuggled up to my husband, with a very happy and secure nearly four year old visiting her grandparents, countless children were suffering.  Hungry, hurt, scared, broken, and confused.  Feeling misunderstood, and unloved.  Today, as I roamed the aisles of crowded stores, I heard adults talking to children in ways that hurt my heart.  Often when parents admit to saying and doing horrible things to their children, we try to reassure them that it is "okay" and "we can't be perfect parent's all the time."  We find ways to explain away some pretty harsh reality.  I have written about this before, and I stand by that post.  I simply can not imagine being treated the way a large portion of children are treated every single day.  I don't know about you, but if I had a person 2-3 times bigger than me yelling, and using threats against me, I'd be frightened out of my mind.  In the movie, Fred Claus, the main character is the older brother of Santa Claus.  His whole life has been led in the shadow of this saintly brother.  Simple, yet completely esteem shattering things were said to him by his mother throughout his life.  Things I have heard many a parent say.....things that only end in heartache.  Often adults speak without thinking, and there are disastrous consequences.  

Tonight's movie also made a simple statement that brought a devastating reality to the forefront of my mind.  In a particular scene, Fred Claus was explaining to Santa how he just didn't understand the whole "naughty and nice" list, and that maybe one should consider that the "naughty" children might just be children that live some pretty tough lives, and have been hurt, abandoned, neglected, and misunderstood.  Don't ALL children deserve a present, and the HOPE it brings?  Without that, might we just be perpetuating the "naughty" behavior?  With that simple statement, I was reduced in soul wrenching sobs.  The fact is, while my little Sugar Bear will wake up on Christmas morning to an abundance of not only gifts, but unconditional love, and true admiration for all that she is, many, many, many children will not.   It isn't like I didn't know this before tonight.......it is just that I didn't choose to really KNOW it....to really ACKNOWLEDGE it.....to really OWN it.  I often live my life as if in a bubble.  A rose colored bubble, where all children have parents who are smitten with them, and are cognizant of the tender little life that has been placed in their hands.  I choose not to DWELL on the reality.....to pretend I don't see it when I am out in the community.  

Tonight, I find it unacceptable to live in my little "la la land", and not do my part to make a difference.  Tonight I pray for the tired mommys and daddys of the world, hoping to give them the strength to be kind and gentle with their loved ones.  I am praying for the over burdened, and under appreciated stay-at-home parents to take care of themselves, so they may treat their children with the love and respect they deserve.  I am praying for the working parents who struggle to spend quality time with their families.  I am praying for the children of the world to be resilient, and survivors.  

Lastly, I urge those reading this to consider raising your children by the Golden Rule......treat them as you would wish to be treated.  The theory is simple, the task is monumental, but our children are worth it.