Soccer Thoughts and the Death of Childhood

Yesterday, I watched my seven year-old son play soccer. Out in the open air, at dusk, with the wind blowing lightly. A beautiful evening in the making, both from the aesthetic pleasure of the natural surroundings and the joy of watching youth at play.

Normally, my son is more interested in what's on the ground and busy being care-free during the game. But, for some reason, yesterday was the day when he realized he is a member of a team, which counts on his active participation, and can make a difference in the game. He ran, he tried his best, he assisted his teammates, and he scored. Out of the blue...

After the game, I softly told him how proud I was of him. I could tell it was a beautiful evening for him too.

Today, I think about how many fathers have instead had to watch their children die because of the bullets and bombs of an occupying force. The Iraqi father having to hold his daughter's lifeless body after a bomb "missed its target". Or, a Palestinian father having to deal with the news of his daughter's head being shattered as she sits at her desk in school, the result of an "errant bullet" from an Israeli sniper.

Until each and every father considers what it would truly mean to have to watch your child or hold your children as they lay dying, helpless to save them, these cowardly acts will continue to occur without their due vocal responses.

What if it were your seven year-old son or daughter? Your one year-old baby? Put yourself in their shoes for just a brief moment and let it all sink in.

Look at your children when you go home tonight. Really look at them, their innocence, vulnerability, the fountain of life which is beginning to spring forward. Then, imagine them lifeless, unable to return your hugs or kisses. Gone forever.

Such a condition exists, and has existed for quite some time, for the Palestinian people. It now also exists for the Iraqi people.

When will the fathers speak in defense of all children. Be a man. Not the man who has to kick someone's ass to make his point. Be the man who stands up for victims of abuse, defenseless individuals, those who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and pay physically for their bad luck.

Most importantly, be a caring human being. Care for the situation of another human being. Do it today, for at some point in the future it may be you and your family needing the help.

Technorati Categories: Human Rights, Iraq, Middle East, Palestine, War