Petunia has been fascinated with Dr. Martin Luther King for the last couple of weeks. We have read several books about his life, times and death, and we have read and recited his "I have a dream speech" dozens of times. Sometimes it is hard to raise a child who is socially aware beyond her years, but it is also such a treat. I don't think we work harder than most good parents to instill social consciousness in our children; Petunia just has the innate gifts of curiosity, concern and compassion. Someday, she will use these gifts for a whole lot of good.
So today, I asked my little girl to write her own "I have a dream" speech. And after giving me the perfunctory, "Mama, it's a day off from school" groan and eye roll, she engrossed herself in her speech. Here it is:
I Have a Dream - by Petunia
That homeless people will have a home.
That Pete [a Marine friend redeploying soon for Iraq] and Aunt Sherry [in Afghanistan currently] are okay.
That people will have enough food.
That everyone is safe.
That everyone is free.
That everyone is happy.
That dinosaurs and magical creatures come to life!
(Well, she is only seven, after all!)
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