So, he said yes......
Posted by Zoe's Dad at Saturday, October 27, 2007 12:15 AM and is filed under War in Iraq,iraq casualties,Letter to the President,iraq deaths 
For some reason, I feel it necessary to update my readers on an earlier post. Last month, you may remember that Zoë and Zane wrote a letter to the President of the United States. It was a simple, childlike (they are just six and five years old respectively) yet impassioned plea for an end to the war in Iraq. If you haven't read the post, please take a minute to catch yourself up. You can find it here. Go ahead. I'll wait.
To date, the war in Iraq has totaled over 3,800 military deaths and by some counts upwards of 75,000 civilian casualties since the initial invasion in 2003. Couple that with the almost untold numbers of military and civilian wounded and injured and the numbers seem unfathomable. This war has affected every single person in this country directly or indirectly. There are no six degrees of separation here. Everyone I know either has a family member, neighbor, friend, or acquaintance that has in some way been involved in or affected by the war in Iraq. It's easy to see how a small child learning that the world can be a cruel place would be just a tad bit concerned. Today, Zoë and Zane received a response from their letters.
"Zoë. You got a letter today."
"I did?! From who? Who's it from? Can I see it? Let me see!!!"
(Zoë doesn't get a whole lot of mail so it's a pretty big deal to her.)
"It's from The White House. Do you know who lives in The White House?"
"Uhmm...(Pause, pause) (Big look of surprise) The President!! He got my letter?"
"Yes, he did, Zoë. Let's see what he said....."
I think the easiest way to do this is to actually show you the letters that Zane and Zoë wrote. Zane's letter was typed but was his exact dictation. Zoë's letter is exactly as she wrote it, unedited.
Notice how Zoë signed her letter.... Love, Zoë. She also can't help but draw at least one picture on every piece of paper she touches. Not a malicious bone in her body. And now....the response. (Zoë and Zane received the exact same letter.)
So after reading the letter Zoë says, "So he said yes?"
"Not so much, Zoë. But at least we know he got your letter."
Let us not become complacent. Continue to lobby for a quick resolution to the war and let's get our guys and girls safely back home. Contact The White House with your concerns.
To date, the war in Iraq has totaled over 3,800 military deaths and by some counts upwards of 75,000 civilian casualties since the initial invasion in 2003. Couple that with the almost untold numbers of military and civilian wounded and injured and the numbers seem unfathomable. This war has affected every single person in this country directly or indirectly. There are no six degrees of separation here. Everyone I know either has a family member, neighbor, friend, or acquaintance that has in some way been involved in or affected by the war in Iraq. It's easy to see how a small child learning that the world can be a cruel place would be just a tad bit concerned. Today, Zoë and Zane received a response from their letters.
"Zoë. You got a letter today."
"I did?! From who? Who's it from? Can I see it? Let me see!!!"
(Zoë doesn't get a whole lot of mail so it's a pretty big deal to her.)
"It's from The White House. Do you know who lives in The White House?"
"Uhmm...(Pause, pause) (Big look of surprise) The President!! He got my letter?"
"Yes, he did, Zoë. Let's see what he said....."
I think the easiest way to do this is to actually show you the letters that Zane and Zoë wrote. Zane's letter was typed but was his exact dictation. Zoë's letter is exactly as she wrote it, unedited.
Notice how Zoë signed her letter.... Love, Zoë. She also can't help but draw at least one picture on every piece of paper she touches. Not a malicious bone in her body. And now....the response. (Zoë and Zane received the exact same letter.)
So after reading the letter Zoë says, "So he said yes?"
"Not so much, Zoë. But at least we know he got your letter."
Let us not become complacent. Continue to lobby for a quick resolution to the war and let's get our guys and girls safely back home. Contact The White House with your concerns.
While I disagree with the political purpose of the letters, I think it was wonderful of you to have them do this. It's a great lesson for them in democracy and that every voice really is heard (even if you get an answer you don't like).
Reply to this
Philosophical/political differences aside, I believe you really touched on the true intent or purpose of this entry. We all want to believe that we have a voice, a say in our lives and what happens in the world around us. And who among us wishes more to have their voices heard than our children? Thanks so much for responding---and getting it.
Reply to this
wow, that is wonderful you are teaching them to speak from the heart. I second Frigga. You never know if you are the 1st Zane or the 1000th Zane, it still will make a difference!! Well done.
I'll say aside from that, I think every side is in a hard place now, whether you agree or not that we should be there in Iraq, the issue at hand is how to get our troops home without leaving a nation to civil war or have a bigger expense of US troop lives. It's a no win all around, don't you think? :[
Reply to this
It does seem dismal at times. My kids honestly believe that whether our troops come home tomorrow or two years from now, they will have helped make that possible. I think that's pretty cool.
Reply to this
That was definitely an awesome lesson for the kids. More people need to be involved in contacting their representatives and making their voices heard.
I supported the war on terror, but the problem is that a particular country didn't attack us. We were attacked by an extremist group that dwells in many, many different countries. We started in Afghanistan, and they've definitely shown up to fight us in Iraq. It's just such a vague and widespread problem, I'm not quite sure how to feel about it all now. I certainly believe that our troops need to be remembered, appreciated, supported and brought home as soon as possible.
Reply to this
Like I stated in the earlier post, I'm pretty cynical and have very little faith in the system. I only hope I can at least continue to teach my kids that the system is good and does listen to what they have to say. It's not an easy task.
Reply to this
What part of parenting is an easy task? Would you let me know when you figure that out?
Reply to this
Wonderful post, truly wonderful, such a shame that you got the standard reply letter but still nice for them both to get a reply, those days of innocence seem like a long way away for me now (mine are 19 and 15) but they were good times, if too brief.
Reply to this
The innocence of a child is truly a wonderful thing to behold. I pray every day that my cynicism will not tarnish that.
Reply to this