When I think of war, I imagine the terror rising in a child. She lies in her bed, listening to the sounds of a battle she does not understand. Her pillow covers her head to muffle the noise of sirens and explosions. “Will I be here tomorrow?” is the question that whirls in her mind as she fights to sleep. “If I go to sleep, will I feel the pain of dying?”
Neither I nor any American child truly understands the nightmares experienced by the children of war. As conflicts causing suffering and death are ravaging our world, it is crucial to pause and remember the innocent.
From Ukraine and Russia to the Middle East, we witness the devastation caused by war. We see the starving children in Gaza, the families huddled in bomb shelters, and all those who are struggling for survival.
Most of us have never fallen asleep to the sound of sirens or awoken with the fear of losing a child before morning. For many Americans, war is a distant reality. For millions, it is part of their lives.
Currently, as conflicts spread, we are reminded that war is a real, human, and heartbreaking experience for far too many. In times like this – both abroad and at home – we need to grasp hands. We should focus less on internal cultural strife and more on what unites us: our compassion for human suffering.
When our personal space is calm, our citizens often find ways to disrupt that peace. We may argue about financial issues, politics, or religion. While we don’t literally point cannons at one another, we certainly point fingers. In doing so, we forget about the real battles that cause bloodshed and bring grief to entire nations.
Evil surrounds us, and we are not immune to its influence. It grows from the seeds of bias, the thirst for power, and an abundance of greed. To prevent hatred from igniting conflict in America, we must embrace our faith and expand our appreciation for freedom.
I don’t believe that the average American intends to be unkind, but we can often come across as harsh. A quick look at social media reveals that negativity can spread easily through our words. With so many conflicts happening in the world, we certainly don’t need to start personal battles among ourselves.
It is very difficult to walk in another person’s shoes when all you own are designer sneakers. It is hard to be humble when you have never experienced humility. How can we comprehend hunger when our plate is full? The child, nestled in her warm bed at night, cannot truly grasp the fear of another child who worries whether she will wake up tomorrow.
It is time to reach across the rivers, pastures, and streets of America and become friends. Unite to forge not only a great nation, but a compassionate one. Let’s show the world our might not through powerful weapons, but through our hearts.
All of us suffer at times. We grieve, we cry, and we face loss, yet we still have a warm place to call home. How blessed we are to have that security.
While Americans debate around our kitchen tables, families in war-torn regions run to shelters. While we count votes, those families count their children. While we still hold on to hope, others find themselves without any.
Considering the safety provided by our ancestors and soldiers, the least we can do is lower our voices, steady our hearts, and reach for one another rather than push each other away.
War reminds us how fragile life is. If we only had one day left to live, would we be grateful for the days we experienced, or angry about the tomorrows we will not see? What if we never had a choice or opportunity to complete our lives because war took that away from us?
Tonight, in many parts of the world, a child will fall asleep to the sound of explosions, while American children will sleep in quiet rooms. That is not something to boast about; it is something we must protect.
We cannot stop every war overseas, but we can choose not to wage one at home.
Let us be the nation that softens its voice before raising a fist. Let us be the people who hold hands in turmoil – not because we agree on everything, but because we understand what truly matters.
Let our children lie peacefully in their beds.
