In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I find myself trying to answer one basic question: How do we explain what happened in New Orleans to our children?
I've been hiding the news of the storm's aftermath from both Simi and Asher. Asher is not yet two, so he's still rather oblivious to things not in his immediate world. But Simi is nearly four and is starting to understand and ask questions.
Simi hears things. He hears the news on television or on the car radio. He hears the two of us talking about the news. He hears his teachers talking. He's my son, and because of that, I want to shield him from the tragedy in New Orleans.
But what do I say if he asks?
Mommy, why did the rivers flood the city? Mommy, why did all those people and their pets die in New Orleans? Why were people forced to stay in that building - with no food or drinking water, no place to bath or poop, in the squalid, stifling air with no electricity? Why didn't anyone help them, Mommy?
How do I begin to answer his questions?
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