Or a dad, for that matter? Listening to the radio in the car this morning, I heard the DJs discussing the brothers who terrorized Boston; and they were playing and discussing an interview with the uncle who had just recently found out his nephews were the bombers, and that one had been killed. The DJs noted how genuinely shocked and saddened the uncle sounded, so the conversation became about how family members of terrorists react and what their feelings must be. Following this train of thought, the discussion quickly turned to funerals for these monsters, and do their parents attend.
Well, my first thought was that I had never thought of that before! Do “bad guys” who end up dying have funerals? Then I thought, well, if they do, it has to be their family who makes the arrangements, so yes, I’m sure they attend. One of the DJs was adamant that if this were his child (and I do not know if he is a parent or not) he would absolutely not attend their funeral. The other DJ was completely indecisive (not sure if she’s a parent either). As I half listened to their banter about why they felt the way they did, I, of course, began to ponder my own thoughts and feelings on the matter.
As a parent to any person who commits heinous crimes towards other human beings I can only imagine the hurt and anger you would feel! I know that if it were my child, I would take it so personally, as though I did something wrong that made them turn out this way. I would question how such much anger and bitterness overcame their soul that they could consciously and willfully hurt and terrorize innocent victims. I imagine I would be so emotionally torn, because of course you have all the animosity and outrage that comes from such an act, but you’re also still a mom or dad. What makes a parent not love their child?
I have to think I would hold a small, private service of some type for my own purposes, for closure, for a final goodbye. While I could not commemorate their beautiful life and the fact that they are now at peace, I could mourn the loss of a piece of my heart. Because while the world is celebrating the death of a monster, the mom has to be mourning the death of an innocent child she once knew.
What are your thoughts on this one? Can you still love a family member who is capable of such abominable acts? Do you still need a ceremonious goodbye? I was intrigued that the male DJ said he would not attend, and the female was unsure. Anything to that? Dads? Moms?
Does a Mom of a Terrorist Go To the Funeral?
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