I want my kids to know that home will always be a safe place to land.
I want my kids to lay their head in a warm bed with cozy covers and the cool side of the pillow to strike the perfect balance.
I want my kids to revel in the joy of a home cooked meal and riveting, sometimes raucous, conversation at the kitchen table.
I want my kids to have a crunchy, salty, juicy snack, and sometimes indulgent treats.
I want my kids to be surrounded by books.
I want my kids to have time to tinker.
I want my kids to have an art supply bucket inviting them to doodle and paint and create.
I want my kids to have green space to romp and roam with friends who make them giggle and guffaw.
I want my kids to always have a proper good night kiss as reminder they are loved.
I want my kids to feel safe in their own skin.
I want my kids to relish the luxury of boredom and daydream.
I want my kids to always have compassionate healthcare and access to everything they need to be mentally, physically, and emotionally well.
I want my kids to ham it up for the camera.
I want my kids to feed their curiosity and know that learning goes beyond the classroom.
I want my kids to be part of the fabric of a strong community.
I want my kids to trust their gut.
I want my kids to love all creatures great and small.
I want my kids to envision a future drenched in sunshine.
I want my kids to wake up with a glorious stretch after a restful night’s sleep and wake up with a twinkle in their eye as they anticipate the day ahead.
I want my kids to chase joy.
Now replace “my kids” with “every child.” That’s when they call me a leftist.
All children deserve what I want for my own sons. I cannot fathom what goes on in the heart of a mother who doesn’t feel this for all children. When we step foot into the sisterhood of motherhood we go in with an unspoken solemn vow to protect and love all children as our own. And yet, here we are.
America builds detention centers faster than we build homes or schools or libraries.
America imprisons infants and children.
America supports government-sanctioned child abuse.
America knowingly imposes trauma and stress on children.
America protects, even reveres, abusers.
America does not live up to its promise to be the land of the free or the home of the brave.
If you want what I want for your kids but not for others, think about what this means for your humanity and how this aligns with your spiritual compass.
What I want for my kids is what I want for yours too, even if you disagree with me.