There are times in life that I think being a parent is overwhelming, because there is so much to instill in my children but at the same time protect them from. I wonder if they will have a positive impact on their community and I wonder what I can do to ensure that they will. This was one of the reasons I became involved in Creatively Caring, because accomplishing those goals with other families just makes sense. These worries still creep back though and become even more clear to me when days like Martin Luther King Jr day arrives. I want my children to learn about the positive things that MLK did. How do I do that without answering difficult questions about why it was necessary for him to dedicate his life to civil rights? My eight year old is starting to understand that unfairness does exist in this world and to my surprise and joy, this realization is not shattering his world but rather making him become more inquisitive and aware. I also have a son who just turned 4 and this is not a concept that he understands quite yet. So, how do I ensure that he understands these concepts and how do I celebrate MLK day with him?
Of course Creatively Caring put a lot of thought into how to make sure MLK day was celebrated and enjoyed by even the youngest members of our community. We spent the day at Nibbles Play Cafe playing Peace Bingo and collecting items to donate to Senior citizens. My youngest spent the time coloring his bingo squares which were pictures of MLK, the peace dove, friendship and unity with the other children there . The children then cut out the squares and glued them to the bingo card. While they did this, we talked about what the pictures were. The older kids that were there, including my eight year old helped the younger kids and when it was time for them to play bingo, it was 2 eight year olds who called off the squares. It was a joy to see the younger kids hear, ‘MLK’s face’ and for them to know where to put their bingo pieces. It was also a joy to hear the 8 year old children talk about what the pictures were without us prompting them – a peace dove, two friends talking, Let Freedom Ring bell. It was not a heavy day at all, it was a joyful day full of fun and community. Everyone was helping others and there was a wonderful, happy atmosphere throughout Nibbles. It was a day that I think Martin Luther King junior would deem a wonderful way to celebrate his birthday.
A week later I sat in my kitchen reading the local paper and came across an article about E. Carol Johnson, a civil rights activist who worked with Martin Luther King Jr in Chicago. In the article she said, ‘I learned that in my early days with MLK to make something positive. I’m still not bitter to this day. This is the only way you can make a better world. You have to be open sometimes and try to educate people, rather than criticize them.” I taped that onto my fridge because for me that is how you instill community and peace in your children, by creating positive experiences for them to carry with them and spread to others.
Peace ~
Colleen Klus-Salisbury
Take a look at the awesome photos from this event!
