While at the market we ate some Fried Green Tomatoes (yumness!), and I even attempted some BBQ Abalone. Apparently it's a specialty around here. I saw it on The Food Network once, and thought, "if I ever have the chance, I'm going to try it." We'll friends, it turns out I'm not much of a hard-core seafood lover as I thought because I didn't care for them. They were a little much for me. I think Jim would have loved them, but they weren't for me. Now I know.
The hit of the market for us was some organic all natural Popsicles. Hunter ate strawberry and Tralee had chocolate banana applesauce. So good!
We decided to walk home from the market, as it didn't seem like that long of a bus ride. It actually wasn't too bad for me, but Tralee's legs were pretty tired towards the end. The only thing that brought a little pep in her step was when we happened along some local artists displaying their work at a park.
Tralee tells me she wants to be an artist when she grows up all the time. Seeing some artists in Hawaii was exciting for her. We talked to some about their technique, inspiration, and general life in Hawaii. Stinks loved it. We each picked out our favorite piece of art, and left with ideas on how to create it ourselves.
When we walked by the flags outside the Honolulu zoo, I noticed they were hung at half-mast in lieu of what happened in Connecticut. I pointed them out to Tralee and asked if she knew why flags are hung at half-mast. She didn't.
This was a moment I had been debating since I heard the tragic news. Should I talk to Tralee about what happened, or keep her innocence in tact? On one hand, I could not say a word, but worry that she hear about it from someone other than me in a safe and loving environment, or talk to her about it, worry about her reaction, and worry about spoiling a piece of her childhood.
As we walked by the flags, I decided to let Tralee lead our conversation and see what way it would go. When she asked, "Why are the flags hung half way?" I answered, "whenever something sad happens in our country we hang our flags half-way or half-mast to show respect for those affected." It took a few seconds but Tralee put the pieces together and asked, "They're hung half-mast today, what sad thing happened?"
I told her I would tell her when we got back to our apartment and started to pray for guidance.
As soon as we walked through the door Tralee asked again, "So what sad thing happened?"
I told her, "yesterday in a city far from here and far from where we live a man who was really confused and angry and sick in his head went into a school and killed a lot of people. Some of them were children."
Tralee didn't say anything so I continued. I told her how much we love her and that we will always do our best to keep her safe and happy. I reminded her that she also has Heavenly Father to turn to. I told her that we ask him to protect her everyday in our prayers and whenever she wants to, or feels scarred or sad she can pray as well. I then asked if she had any questions.
She asked a few, and then we moved on with our day. She hasn't brought up the shooting since, except when she prays. She's been praying for the people in Connecticut and so have I.
After resting for a bit in our apartment, the kids and I played at the beach. We had a grand old time together.
Our Saturday was bittersweet. Mostly sweet, we had a lovely day together, but our hearts and minds weren't far from those suffering.
1 comment:
Great posts Leslie - I'm jealous
Dad
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