Moms throughout the generations have been plagued with issues that threaten and endanger their children. I hear all the time that today's children face more danger than any other generation from the past. People say, "Those were simpler times."
Although it's true, our children are facing issues that past generations could never have fathomed like internet predators, cyber bullying, and what seems rampant pedophiles and drug addiction, I'm not sure how much more we aware of the dangers by the media parading them around, or if truly "the world has gone to hell in a hand-basket." But past generations were not immune to the "dangers" their children faced.
On my summer vacation to the Black Hills with my family, we went to an old cemetery in Deadwood, South Dakota. Although most people were there to see the famous graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, it was the children's plot that touched my heart. From 1878 to 1880 Deadwood was struck by epidemics of scarlet fever and diphtheria. More than 350 infants and children were buried in this children's section alone. During these times the infant mortality rate was more than double that of adults.
Although today we face new problems and threats, we have overcome some very substantial ones from the past. Medical advances, immunizations and medication have eradicated most deadly childhood illnesses and infections. Yes, we are facing new dangers for our children in today's generation, but I have no doubt that we as a society will overcome these as well. We only need to look at the past and how far we have come. We also need to recognize and see how blessed we are that we don't have to live with the heartbreaking fear of childhood diseases taking our children from us like the moms of the 1800's did.
I paused before the graves of those 350 plus children and silently mourned for those mothers that lost their children too soon. I gave thanks in gratitude to God, that I would never have to feel this heartbreak. I was filled with hope for our future children, that one day they too will overcome the dangers we face now, and that the past will be a silent reminder that life is very precious.