
I’m always amazed and deeply moved by the genuine affection many kids have for wild animals. It seems so natural, and often much more immediate than what many adults, including myself, can muster.
Yesterday, my nine-year-old spotted a raccoon that had been hit by a car on our street. It was a heartbreaking scene. She called her younger siblings outside to see it. The six-year-old was really upset, saying, “I just feel so bad for the raccoon.”
I felt sorry too and tried not to let the sadness overwhelm me. I suggested we light a candle for the raccoon. It struck me that the driver who hit the raccoon probably felt awful too, so I mentioned that and wished the person well.
That was all I had to offer, but my kids took it from there. They gathered a wreath, the nine-year-old made a label that said “raccoon,” and the six-year-old drew a picture with various vehicles and a big X through them. “Why can’t everyone just ride bikes?” he asked, though his drawing seemed to cross out the bike too.
The candle burned for the next couple of hours, and they later told their dad about it. This helped them, and me, process our feelings. Although it was a sad situation, I found comfort in seeing their love and care for another living being, and for each other. This ritual seemed to genuinely help them.
It taught me something about managing my own sadness. These kinds of rituals and gestures can be meaningful and effective. It showed me the loving kindness that exists within us, always ready to be tapped into.
Thank you for caring. I hope these children grow up to be vegans so they won’t contribute to the suffering or death of animals. Thank you.