This morning I made the daily trip to Reidy Creek Elementary school with my first-grader, Anna, in-tow. The drive is only about a half-mile, but is full of traffic. We have some of our best talks during this time. Anna, like many first-graders, has a deeply inquisitive mind.
Her leadoff question this morning was a doozy. Daddy, what’s 9/11? How do you explain something like that to a kid? I was unprepared. The dialogue went
something like this:
“Well honey, 9/11 stands for September 11. It’s a sad day for grownups.”
“Why?”
“Because on September 11, some really bad men flew some airplanes into buildings full of people and a lot of people died that day. So we remember them and pray for their families today.”
“I don’t remember that.”
“Well sweetie, you weren’t born yet.”
“Oh.”
“Should I pray for the families too?”
“That would be great! And we should remember to be thankful every day for each other.”
“OK.”
“OK. You have a great day at school and remember your mommy and daddy love you.”
“I know. (She exits the car, and blows a kiss to me…and runs off.)
And I thought about the moms and dads and husbands and wives and children who didn’t know they were blowing a kiss to their loved ones for the last time that morning.
And I prayed.
Note: this content was originally posted on 9/11/09. Sorry for the formatting. The blog was on a different format back then and it refuses to translate well 
Blog: 9/11: a Daddy/Daughter Dialogue http://t.co/3nb2fNm9
Wondering how to talk to your kids about 9/11? This was my best shot when I was caught unprepared. http://t.co/9Ua1COJU
Very touching story. September 11th, 2001 was such a sad day. God bless us all as we remember those who died, and as we return to God for love and grace until Jesus comes back.
Powerful post–both for what was said & wasn’t said. How do we teach the younger generation to remember & believe in things they didn’t see? To share these memories with us & yet live for the future, not dwelling in the past? To embrace the mantle of the character & values that made us proud of our neighbors on that day? Just some thoughts that spilled out as I was touched by your dialogue with Anna.
Good job, Dad! I’m not sure we’re ever really expecting the most important talks we have with our kids.
Well done brother….