My darlings, when I gave you life, I truly believed I was giving you the most beautiful gift of all. Today, I have my doubts. I’m afraid. I dread what the future holds for you when I’m no longer able to protect you from the atrocities that surround us.
I wanted a world of peace, love, and tolerance for you—a world where we can all live together in harmony, where differences are welcomed with open arms as a source of learning and mutual enrichment.
But giving you life—and all the beauty it has to offer—also meant exposing you to the cruelty of humanity.
The terrorist attack that took place on Sunday in Quebec City is proof of this, and it sends a chill down my spine. How can simple differences in belief divide us so deeply? Divide us to the point of killing.
Yes, such events have always existed and have always happened. I naively thought, however, that in our little Quebec, you would be safe from such barbarity. We were an open, kind, and generous people.
Today, the tide seems to be turning. The ugliness of the world is closing in on us, and I am terrified at the thought that you might one day have to face this sad reality.
Will you, my darlings, be able to move about freely without fearing for your safety? And what about your own children? I don’t even want to think about it. I dare to hope that these men who spread hatred will be touched by love. That love will change their outlook on life. That they will realize the beauty of our differences. Because true ugliness would be if we were all the same. My treasures, for as long as I can, I will shield you from this violence, this anger, this sadness. I hope to keep it invisible to you long enough to have rooted love, tenderness, openness, tolerance, kindness, and generosity deep in your hearts.
And on the day when you are inevitably confronted with it, do not be blinded by all this senseless cruelty. Do not be tempted by revenge. You will gain nothing from it. Hate breeds hate. You will most likely be outraged, shocked, and disappointed by these events. But try to respond with love, support, mutual aid, and solidarity. My darlings, I gave you life, and I will make sure it is a gentle one. No matter what kind of world we live in. May all the love I have for you protect you and inspire you, in turn, to spread a little comfort to broken hearts.
In memory of the victims and in support of the families grieving the shooting at the Islamic Cultural Center of Quebec, let us come together for a brighter future.