Little Comforts

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 The world only makes sense if you force it to.

 "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016)

This has been such a difficult month.  Amidst following the Kansas City Chiefs to the bitter end of their season to so far dodging every major round of illness going around (knock on sanitized wood) to the breaking news updates that appear constantly, we've been riding out the waves as best we can.  Most recently I've been thinking about a little boy across the world -- who was the same age as Little Man and also loved Batman -- and the heartbreak his family is enduring.  Little Man is blissfully unaware of bigger pictures, yet things are happening that will impact him and so many others in so many ways.  I try to avoid getting caught up in the negativity, but it can be hard when it permeates the nooks and crannies of life.  Looking at him I am alternately cheered by his good spirits and anxious at how those might get crushed.

This month in particular it's been about finding how to tap into what fulfills rather than being dragged down by what destroys. Even though we didn't do much for Valentine's Day due to time and circumstances, it felt like a good time to hug and laugh a little more.  My heart goes in stages; I'm filled with more love for him than ever, but I hurt at the thought of what rash and shortsighted decisions now will mean for his future.  I'm sure it's coincidental, but it even feels like he wants to climb into our laps and snuggle just a little extra these days; maybe he can feel the tension of life, like humidity in the air.  Reality is starting to read more like a parody, or at the very least a story some have heard before and can't believe they're hearing again -- or, for some, a story that seems so unbelievable that they are waiting for a punchline that isn't coming.  The disbelief comes from near and far; some impacts are worlds away, others we can reach out and touch.  Either way, the shock is powerful.

There are no easy answers right now.  Voices can be heard in a variety of ways, breaks from the news can be had.  These are not ordinary times, so ordinary responses won't be the same.  I personally waver between stepping away and stepping up; maybe that will make me feel like I'm doing something, or maybe it will blow up in my face.  However, for the love of Little Man it's worthwhile. 



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