What's Missing - #NaBloPoMo 15

It's the last few hours of the weekend, a weekend many spent learning the details of the latest terrorist actions around the world. But not me.

I spent the majority of my weekend in activities centered around our synagogue and the community it provides for me and my family. We attended services, a study session, a parent-teacher conference, play practice, and a discussion group for 6th grade girls, while the moms got together in a local restaurant.

Terrorists might spend their weekends organizing for whatever they believe in too, I guess. But I'll never understand what makes their discussions veer in harmful directions, where others spend their time enhancing culture, shaping the lives of children, or deepening their understanding of differences and working towards acceptance. What's missing that leads people towards terror instead?

I don't believe that it's mental illness, or access to guns, although I think we need more support for treatment and less access.

I think people are missing options. Opportunities. And they're missing loving, guiding forces for better in their lives.

It's not much, but I hope, even with a few words here once in a while, that I help foster a sense of connection, community and concern for the community I care about. Because you never know who can provide what's missing.