We were in Washington, D.C. for one of Joshua's work conferences and Sophia and I had an entire day in the city to ourselves. My cousin Kathleen, whom I hadn't seen in about eight years, spent the morning with us. When we were growing up, we spent a week together every summer at the Shore, carrying on the tradition that my Father and her Mother did as cousins during their childhood.
It was so good to see her and to talk about the three children between us, and how we look forward to getting both families together next time. She told me about a happy memory she had of my Dad, which meant a lot to me, because any new information about him almost feels like I am getting extra time with him.
After Sophia was showered with gifts by Kathleen (including a flashlight and a box of raisins Sophia happened to find in her purse) we walked to the Natural History Museum. While the picture below was being taken, Kathleen said, "Look at Mommy!", in a voice that was identical to the one she used in a home video when she was trying to do the same while holding me many years ago.
After lunch, when Kathleen had to leave to meet her kids after school, Sophia and I continued our walk to the Holocaust Museum.
This is my favorite museum because of the importance of the subject matter, as well as the presentation. Even though I don't live near DC, I became a member because of the work they do through their "Center for the Prevention of Genocide". In the room of the museum which focuses on Genocide, there is a quote from an individual that says, "We were abandoned by the entire world." Regardless of one's views on foreign policy, I cannot imagine feeling this way.
The first time I went to the museum, my family wasn't with me, so I requested a trip to DC to be able to bring my parents there and on a subsequent visit to the city brought Joshua. It felt significant to bring my child there for the first time even though she wasn't yet aware of the content. In one of the rooms, there is a scripture engraved in large letters:
Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children.- Deuteronomy 4:9
I believe one of the most important responsibilities during my lifetime is to educate my children about such things.
I was reminded as soon as we entered the museum that there are still people in our world that seek to destroy others, as I walked through the metal detector and was then instructed to take a sip from my water bottle.
Holding my child as I walked through the halls, I was also reminded of how my daughter and I have never had to face such terror. Sophia has been able to maintain an innocence that others her age and younger are not always granted. The only injustice she could perceive was that the toys on display were placed out of reach behind glass.
Someday when we return, I will show her the photograph of the young mother kneeling and holding the hand of her very young son, as they face a large pit with guns being held to their backs just prior to their execution for the crime of being born Jewish. I will explain to my child what it felt like to look at that photograph while holding her, knowing my pain did not compare to this woman's experience.
We left the museum with just enough time to walk to my second most treasured place in DC, the National Botanic Gardens. I also believe this place is greatly important, that for free, anyone is able to have a brief escape from the terrible of this world and be where it is warm and beautiful.
