Why ask Why?

My son Dylan, who is now 10, was the king of asking "Why?"  When he was 3, 4, and even into Kindergarten, we heard "Why?" all the time.  I would say, "The sky is blue," and his response was "Why?"  There were many times that I didn't know what or how to answer, and therefore I would say, "because that's how God made it."  That seemed to be an ok answer for him, and he would move onto the next thing he wanted to inquire about.  I'm not going to lie, I got a little sick of answering all of his questions.  Grandpa must've had a chat with him because one day Dylan said to me, "Mom, Grandpa Perry told me I am going to be very smart because I ask so many questions."  Kids are curious, we are all curious, and that's why we ask "Why?"

A few weeks ago I was completely stressed out and I'm pretty sure my head was going to explode.  I had a million assignments due for school (I'm in my Master's program for social work), this kid had to be here, that kid had to be there, I have to play volleyball, and I had to be at a meeting for something else.  I was talking to my husband and telling him how stressed I was and he asked, "Why?"  So I told him.  His response was, "You need a break.  Go play volleyball and have fun and I will take care of the boys."  I still came back with, "But I have so much homework to do," and he said, "Go.  You need a break."  At that moment, that was exactly what I needed.  I needed someone to realize I needed a break and to take over so I could relieve some stress. 

I have heard "Why" being asked numerous times over this past week surrounding the tragedies at NL-S.  "Why did they feel that was the only way out?"  "Why didn't the school step in earlier?"  "Why didn't they get the help they needed?"  We don't know these answers.  But, remember those people that are feeling in a deep, dark, place are asking "Why" too.  They are asking, "Why do I feel this way?"  "Why can't I just be happy?"  "Why doesn't anyone love me?"  They are waiting and searching for a way out of that pain and they want answers.  However, so many times I have heard that we should just do what is asked and not ask questions...don't question the status quo.  So, are people afraid to ask for help?  We need to ask questions and we need to respond to questions.  People need to know that it is ok to ask questions and ask for help.  When you see someone hurt, ask "Why?"  When someone says they are stressed, ask "Why?"  When someone is sick or doesn't want to go to school, ask "Why?"  When someone had a bad day, ask "Why?"

A simple "Why?" was all I needed on some of my dark days because that "Why?" showed that someone cared.  As a little kid, and even going through middle and highschool, kids ask "Why?" because they are curious, they are intriqued, and they want the answers.  Don't be afraid to answer questions and don't be afraid to ask questions.  Because...Without "Why", there can be no, "Here's how to make it better."