The Map

My boys, like many others have those fabulous wipe-off place mats to contain all their stickiness and spills.  This morning, like many other mornings, my 8 yr old son, Owen, was examining his "World Map" in its laminated form.  He also directed his attention to the CBC news that is typically on while I settle into coffee and some form of consciousness.

Owen's nickname is "Little Lisa," he questions, he examines, he strives for truth and justice - and we normally argue - a lot.  He was focused on the part of the world that he only knows about via news reports - Middle East and Africa.  He wanted to know where the fighting was the most severe and what places were OK.  I told him that in most of those places, women did not have rights and that even in Saudi Arabia they are not allowed to drive a car.

He thought that was ridiculous.  

I also told him that some people think that if women had equal rights all over this world;  our wars, our poverty, our hate, would be diminished.  He agreed.

So the power of the plastic place mat - if change is to happen, it has to be taught and nurtured.
peace & love all, vagi xo