September 21, 2025
I have not written since the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Any murder is a tragedy and unfortunate and should be considered unacceptable. While I did not accept his beliefs, I can hold two thoughts in my head at the same time. Sorry it happened, while not agreeing with his statements.
The reaction of the public to this assassination has caused me to ruminate deeply about life values and thinking back to my developmental years and the influences of my family through stories and actions.
My grandmother Ocy was a strong and determined person. Even as an elderly person, I remember she always kept her hands very busy, gardening, canning, making butter, or shelling peas. I recall every single time I peel potatoes about her giving me a reprimand about not peeling so deeply as it was wasting the potato. That was followed by the Aesop’s fable about the Grasshopper and Ants.
You will remember the ants gathered food for the winter, while the grasshopper had a busy social life. “I didn’t have time to store up any food,” whined the Grasshopper; “I was so busy making music that before I knew it the summer was gone.”
That story taught me valuable lessons about consequences, preparation, hard work, responsibility, and the importance of balance.
I passed the lesson of consequences to my 6-year-old daughter when she put her kitten in her dresser drawer as we were going to the State Fair for the day. She gagged and nearly vomited as she cleaned out her dresser drawer of the kitten’s bodily functions that were left during the long day.
I do wonder about Mother Goose sometimes and the values that were incorporated into the rhymes. I am not certain those nursery rhymes are currently being read to this generation of youngsters. Values about laziness are very pronounced in Little Boy Blue who was asleep under the haystack when the cows were in the corn.What is a modern parallel? Urban children have no comprehension of a haystack.
Finally, I kept thinking about the assassin who shot Mr Kirk. Did anyone ever read him the story of Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket? Remember Jiminy Cricket was given to Pinocchio as a critical thinker when he was no longer a puppet. “When you get in trouble and you don’t know right from wrong, just give a little whistle and let your conscience be your guide.” Do we discuss conscience with our children. I do hope we do.
Finally, the other impactful value occurrence this past week was a virtual workshop entitled “BRAVER ANGELS.” This is a national organization that promotes and gives suggestions on how to have a conversation with individuals who have different values and views. It was a 90-minute presentation that emphasized listening and then seeking areas that are neutral or agreeable to both engaged in the conversation.
Readers, I ask you to think about your life values, how they were formed, and how we may improve our communication and relationship skills. Assassinations are not acceptable.
VIEW FROM MY WINDOW is shared by Mary Weaver of rural Rippey.
