Paris

[Ladybug]

My heart is in knots. It makes me think of all the domestic school shootings, particularly close to where we live. It's such a hard world to feel safe in. My heart breaks....again.

[corn poffi]

I am still trying to process.

[PrincessFiona]

My heart breaks for everyone involved and the Muslim community in general. The stories and images are like something from a movie. I can't believe it's real.

This is how I feel.

I have to be honest though. It makes me fearful and I want to pull away from the Muslim community. That's horrible. Terrible. I hear myself. I know these are just a few radicalized people and yet I still feel fear in my own heart for myself, my family, our country.

The whole thing truly saddens me.

Kris

[Ladybug]

Honestly, every time I kiss my kids goodbye in the morning I quickly think…what if I never see them again…what if they get shot by some wacko? Every.single.morning. It's exhausting.

I stuff these fears down into the dark places of my soul. It's too scary. But WTF has happened to our world?? Why do I have to shut the news off each morning when my kids wake up because I don't want them to know what is really happening? I even strive for a realistic balance. They probably see more than most kids do. We talk and try to process the world in age appropriate terms.

My sister is very active in gun control. I get that. I'm more at the what-makes-people-crazy? stage. My heart is so heavy. I mourn for Paris. I worry for my children.

[spaz]

Yep, you are right Ladybug. I remember having a conversation with someone about how we are all just a phone call away from tragedy and it could happen anytime. The next day hubby was being lifeflighted.... Sigh.. It is hard to be hopeful sometimes.

[PrincessFiona]

Honestly, every time I kiss my kids goodbye in the morning I quickly think…what if I never see them again…what if they get shot by some wacko? Every.single.morning. It's exhausting.

I'm freaking out again.

[Ladybug]

I can't even be mad at "them." It's bigger than them. They are a product of a system, a belief, a manipulation. It's stressful as a parent.

I'm scared for my kids, and I have a hard time explaining these things to them. Even the school drills (necessary). You have to explain them.

[Pollyanna]

I'm sad for Paris. They have a problem for sure and hope they find a way to keep their citizens safe. I hope the same for the USA.

[PrincessFiona]

It's a scary time for the world, and I just don't have any answers.

[MrsK]

I'm just sick over what happened today. Over 7000 jews have left France in the last year. We have felt unsafe there for quite a while now.

[MrsK]

Honestly, every time I kiss my kids goodbye in the morning I quickly think…what if I never see them again…what if they get shot by some wacko? Every.single.morning. It's exhausting.

This. I've even randomly called the school in the middle of the day to check up on my kids just because I have a sudden wave of panic related to this. Even when I take the kids to the public library, somewhere in the back of my mind... sometimes even in the forefront of my mind....I'm thinking about what I'd do, how would I keep three small children safe, would they listen to me, if a shooter showed up.

[ladymoreta]

Honestly, every time I kiss my kids goodbye in the morning I quickly think…what if I never see them again…what if they get shot by some wacko? Every.single.morning. It's exhausting.

Me too. When I'm buckling them into their carseats, I think "Was I too grumpy this morning? Did I yell at them? What if that's their last memory of me?" I know it's crazy-making, but I can't stop thinking it, every day.

I try to remind myself that Christianity had a far bloodier terrorism phase than Islam. Practiced correctly, Islam is a peaceful, generous, beautiful religion. These terrorist leaders have twisted it into something that is pure evil, just like those who called themselves Christians did not so very long ago.

[MrsK]

Me too. When I'm buckling them into their carseats, I think "Was I too grumpy this morning? Did I yell at them? What if that's their last memory of me?" I know it's crazy-making, but I can't stop thinking it, every day.

Ugh. Then nominate me for mom of the year. I can't even get them in the car without raising my voice.

Back to Paris though. ... I'd probably leave if I lived there. It's gotten to the point where people who have lived their whole lives in France feel like they have to abandon their professions, homes, everything they know because they are not safe.

[fluffhead]

I try to remind myself that Christianity had a far bloodier terrorism phase than Islam. Practiced correctly, Islam is a peaceful, generous, beautiful religion. These terrorist leaders have twisted it into something that is pure evil, just like those who called themselves Christians did not so very long ago.

Interesting to compare this situation to the Crusades. I certainly hope that it does not drag on as long. But in both cases, the first commandment seems to be to kill the Jews.
A religion is whatever people make of it - the books can say that Christianity is all about love, but if Torquemada is in charge in Spain, he defines Christianity. Is Islam by the books a religion of peace? Many would argue that it is absolutely not - are you saying that all those who interpret the Koran as instructing them to slaughter the infidels are misreading the text? I am certainly not enough of a scholar to judge - but they've read the book, and there seem to be an awful lot of people who agree with them.
If I were a Jew living in Europe, I'd get the hell out and let the Europeans deal with the mess that their liberal immigration-happy politicians have created.
Help! I'm turning into a Republican!!!

[ladymoreta]

Honestly, I haven't read any of the Quran. I'm just going on what I've been told by people I know in person. The way they practice has nothing to do with killing or even disliking infidels, and they view Jihad as a battle within their own minds between good and evil. In my limited number of friendships with Muslim people, they've been very kind and willing to discuss their religion with me respectfully.

That said, I, too, would be trying to get out of Europe if I were Jewish. The ones who interpret it as actually killing people are gaining followers there, and they are obviously very dangerous. I just hate to see them lumped together with other people who interpret their scriptures in a much different, completely peaceful way.