Are Bad Guys Real?

Today marks the day after the bombings at the Boston Marathon.  Honestly, I haven't really even processed the devastation that has happened.  I think I am still in a state of denial and disbelief. I did spend some time last night ready some news reports and watching broadcasts with updated stats and replays of images. The quote of note circulating on facebook is from Mr. Fred Rogers - about how his mother taught him that whenever bad things happen, to always look for the helpers.  In any situation there are always those who will emerge and arise to the call to help.

On the morning shows today one theme is about how much to tell our children.  It has reminded me of a conversation I had last week with Jayson. From the back seat of the car he said, "Bad guys are only in the movies, right?" Wouldn't it be nice if that were true? Why do I get to pop the bubble of his perfect world?

"Well... actually," I began " there are people who choose to do bad things in real life too.  It's really sad that anyone would hurt someone else, but people do."  I began thinking about the string of break-ins being reported at our elementary school while the parents have been dropping kids off at school.  Crime right in our neighborhood, right under our noses.

He cited some safety rules he knew about talking to strangers, etc. and added, "It's a good thing no bad guys live around here. But if they did Jacob has three light sabers and we could just get them... and.. boom."  There you have it. Case closed.  He had it all figured out. I decided that I would strive to keep his world safe enough that all he would need was a few plastic light sabers and confidence and trust in the adults in his life to be the helpers and protectors if any real bad guys showed up on the scene.

I am grateful that there are many "helpers" and many good guys in any dark or unreal situation.  It's their stories that renew my faith and make me proud to be an American.