The rarest person of all is the parent who I’ve witnessed talking to their child about what they are seeing. And although I can count these people on a single hand, it never fails to restore my faith that humanity will carry on empathy where it needs to: That there will always be the shining role model of a parent who, instead of staring, or shush-ing, or walking away quickly, will bend down to the curious child and make a decent attempt at answering the difficult questions with a kind air about them.
“She’s got a very special chair because she can’t walk. See, it’s pink, just like your shoes. Can you say hi?”
Love Without Shame by Anton Peck
As a father of a fifteen month old, I worry about so many things, my son’s safety and health being at the top of the list. We’re lucky – our little guy is hearty and curious about the world around him. He’s developing well, and my deepest fear is that I will fail to do everything I can to help him be the absolute best human he can be. I know some things will be out of my control, but many opportunities will be in my hands.
I don’t bear the weight that Anton and his family do. I don’t know how I would carry that. I do know that I have the most immense respect for he and his wife, as well as every parent in a similar situation.
As my son grows older and experiences more of our world, I won’t shy away from explaining it and I will do my damnedest to ensure that he treats each person, no matter their situation, with the respect, friendliness and humanity that they all deserve.
I will do my absolute best to teach him to look deeper.
If you haven’t read Love Without Shame yet, please do. I hope it has the impact on you, that it has for me.