Last weekend, we got this unexpected “Thank You” card from our offspring.

Thrilled, I immediately began to ponder which of my recent random acts of kindness occasioned such a noteworthy and formal show of appreciation.

I tore open the envelope, and the card read:

“Thank you for not killing us for no reason”.

It gave me a spectacular laugh. Let me explain…

I have a long obsession with TV crime shows. I have watched thousands of hours of CSI, Law and Order, The Mentalist, etc. In the recent months, I have also gotten hooked on Bio Channel’s numerous documentaries about notorious crimes and criminals, such as Killer Kids, Mothers Who Kill, Unusual Suspects, Women Behind Bars, 48 Hours, and such.

These shows are addictive. They are often fascinating, so, when the kids are around while I am watching one of these shows, they also became engrossed in it. They even ask me to pause the show often to explain certain matters to them.

Earlier on Saturday, we were watching a show about a man who killed his whole family, his wife, his 3 teenage children, and his elderly mother. Then changed his identity, got married again, and hid from authorities for 17 years before he was finally caught. The psychologist interviewed him in depth while he was in custody, and determined that he suffered no mental breakdown. He meticulously murdered his entire family over life’s minor disappointments.

These shows are almost always heinous and gruesome. I worried to myself often how these horrid shows might affect my young children. And now, I have my answer:

They make them VERY grateful!!!

As it was my husband’s turn to chuckle over this Thank You card, I said to him, “SUCH grateful children. We should let them live forever.”

“YAY!” The kids cheered.

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