I told a good friend today that the line between feeling really, really crappy because of a virus and feeling better is a thin one, and I feel so much better this evening that I'm practically kicking up my heels. I did loads of laundry today and made a delicious beef and sweet potato stew. I baked a loaf of Parmesan Bread with Beer and Black Pepper. I drove Henry to his lacrosse game waaaaaaaaay out and cheerfully dropped him off. I let Oliver go out with his friends to a shooting range.
OK. Back up you say?
Yes, I let Oliver go to a shooting range. The photos that my friend sent me of my son shooting a gun sort of made me sick to my stomach, and I don't want to post them in fear of any of my gun-loving relatives or friends sticking it to me. Do as I say, not as I do. The Husband and I utterly trust the friends who took him and we made the decision to let him because it's something that he actually really excels at -- his focus and precision are pretty extraordinary, and we're taking the gamble that not forbidding the outing will remove some of the glamour and mystique from guns.
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We'll get back to you later on whether we should have said Absolutely, positively NOT!
A few days ago I felt so badly that I didn't care about anything, maybe not even my children. Yesterday, I felt bad enough that the prospect of never getting well was about to take over. I feel great sympathy for those who suffer from chronic illness or more acute disease -- and despite dealing with a child who has multiple giant seizures every single day, I definitely take my own health for granted, which is just plain stupid. I don't want to go overboard here, but give me a day or two and I think I might even go on a serious exercise regime.
Good lord -- first I let my kid shoot guns and now I'm going to exercise.
Whatever it takes, baby. That's what I say.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid, I shot targets with BB guns in summer camp. I don't think that kind of shooting does any harm. It's good for kids to know what's being discussed when they hear about shooting and gun control and that kind of thing. I think a better predictor of gun preoccupation (the unhealthy kind) is whether guns are part of the culture of your home and neighborhood -- and in your case, they're obviously not.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think the shooting range thing is fine. Through my years as an actor, I have played a gun-toting murderer quite a few times (not sure what this says about me), and have gone to a shooting range for training, and the seriousness and extreme safety precautions they take actually made me MORE fearful of guns, and less likely to want one around! When you shoot one at a range, it's VERY clear that it is not a toy, but a deadly weapon. It's probably a good thing.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're feeling better! And I'm also pleased that neither of my children is even remotely interested in guns or shooting so I don't have to contend with the decision of whether or not to indulge it. I suspect your measured, thoughtful approach will prove to be the right one in your family's case.
ReplyDeletewill wonders never cease? I just ordered a DVD for Tai Chi, hoping my mother and I can do it together. Amazing.
ReplyDelete1 - Thrilled you're feeling better. The viruses seem to have won this winter, certainly around here and apparently on FB, though it's my first winter there so maybe the endless fevers, coughs, and ER visits are the norm in one's newsfeed in January.
ReplyDelete2- One of the (many, many) reasons I decided not to be a cop was that despite much training, I was terrified of the gun on my hip.
3 - My great-grandfather used to take my dad hunting when he was young. My dad said the most effective lesson in gun safety he was ever given was when his grandfather shot a log with a shot gun. It exploded and made quite the impression. Just a thought.
You're a good mama. And I'm glad you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI have been around guns and was always told "they are not toys. Never point it at anything other that the target. Never put your finger on the trigger until you are going to shoot." Then with Daddy's help the kids would target practice.It was serious,that is just how our family does it, my brother likes to go target shooting.
ReplyDeleteThat last line made me almost spit out my coffee in laughter!! :)
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