Love is the antidote to fear

This whole LIFE IS RANDOM LOVE IS NOT thing began two years ago when Donald Trump was elected. It was my small attempt to put a dent in the angry and hateful rhetoric that, suddenly it seemed, was being expressed with abandon or understanding of consequences. Sadness is an understatement when I realize that as we approach another Election Day, the rhetoric is worse and now accompanied by violence. Despite my nervousness about what may happen next, I still believe in the power of love. If only in my little corner of the world.

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A couple of weeks ago I was working with a first grade class to generate a list of iPad rules. Right off the bat kids mentioned walking from place to place and keeping food and drinks away. Then a student raised her hand and said, “Don’t throw it in the fire.” When you work with kids you have to be a bit nimble when trying to rephrase an answer that doesn’t quite fit the narrative so after a short pause I said, “I think what you’re saying is ‘keep your iPad in a safe place’.” She agreed and I thought we were good to move on. We weren’t. While the kids were stuck on what they should do with their iPad during a fire, I assured them there was only one thing I would be concerned about were a fire to break out. The young man sitting at my feet quietly and correctly answered, “Us.” 

“Exactly,” I said, “your safety is always the most important thing to me. iPads can be replaced, you can’t.”

It was at this moment a young lady, with a head like an owl, sitting in the middle of the group, turned that head right around, looked at me and pronounced, “You love me!”

“Yes, I do love you,” I said. 

Young Amy would have been reluctant to express this sentiment but older Amy doesn’t think twice.

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I fear for those who are easily labeled because of skin color or last name; mannerisms or odd behaviors. And because love is the antidote to fear, I will keep on talking about it and hope the young people I come in contact with every day understand love is the answer. Always.

LIFE IS RANDOM LOVE IS NOTTM