We have a Halloween book that cackles like Dracula when you turn the last page.  My daughter is obsessed with it and when she finds it, we’ll hear muha-ha-ha endlessly.  My son, who also loved this book when he was one, is now terrified of it.  Tonight, she found the book and muha-ha-ha rang throughout the house.  My son begged me to take it away from her and covered his ears.  After the third or fourth muha-ha-ha, he ran over and sat on my lap.  ”Mama, now I have brave so it’s OK” he said to me.

If only, if only  our problems were as small as Dracula in the book.  They aren’t.  But we do have the powerful comfort of family and friends.  It can’t solve all problems and us adults have so much work to do to make this world better for our children.  However, this week, if comfort is all that we can strive for, I hope all of you out there are with the people who give you “brave.”

My thoughts are with you, Boston.