And NO room for comfort (for all parties involved)
WARNING sad post ~
I got a text this am from a dear friend... she indicated that it was on the front page of the paper (our local paper here). And because of her recent wall post on Facebook I just had a feeling...
Immediately I went to the computer to pull up the paper online... but when I realized that everything on the front page wasn't good news I texted her back and found out horrifying news. (If you are wondering ~ CLICK HERE for the news article).
On Tuesday our dear friend's daughter was kidnapped! You hear about these things happening but (for me) its never someone you KNOW! The family has become really good friends of Ryan and mine (at least we think of them as good freinds) over the last year; Bubba is friends with their youngest and I have done some work for their daughter recently. So I feel we KNOW them... By the grace of God she is ok and was able to escape (she is a smart girl); but what a horrifying event!
I have been crying about this all morning not because its about me but because I completely feel for our friends and I can't imagine what they went through knowing she was missing but who I will be praying for and really thinking about is our friend's daughter; what a traumatic event for her!
Obviously I am not (and will not) use their names because of the specific issue and for the parties involved.
What is my point for posting this on the blog? Why the bad news?
WELL ~ my point is this.. our children are NOT safe (at any age) and this can (and does) happen in our very backyard! We moved to this area AWAY from Vegas to raise our kids in a better place; this area is more of a community atmosphere; it is safe. Or so we thought! And to me this hits close to home not only because I know the girl but because my sweet Bubba is SO.DAMN.FRIENDLY to everyone! And after I read the news article flashes of Bubba being taken by a stranger that he nonchalantly talks to (like he does quite often) went through my mind. BUT then to find out from my friend later that she was kidnapped from someone she knew just makes me SICK!!!!
I praise God that she is ok and is safe; but for my family here and now I am going to use this as a teaching tool... I am going to teach Bubba that he cannot talk to strangers (obviously we have told him this before) but even more so I am going to help this be an example that he should NOT go with anyone (that we know or don't) unless he has permission from us first!
Tonight I am going to hold my babies a little closer that is for sure.
And to our friends, if you are reading this... I am so sorry that your family is going through this. You have an amazing family and friends that love and care for you. If you need anything at all... we are here! Please use us if you need. We love you!
So sorry that your friends are going thru this and that it has struck such a painful chord within yourself. Its all to true how comfortable we get that tragedy wont strike us, that it happens, but it will never happen to us. All we can really do is talk to our kids and keep an open dialogue about the potential dangers, and pray that if, god forbid, the time comes, they will use all the tools at their disposal to keep themselves alive. I am so glad that the girl is returned, and certainly hope she seeks counseling for her ordeal so that this event doesn't turn out to be a central marker for her life. Better luck and good health to everyone involved, our thoughts are with you!-angie
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad! The poor family...they are lucky to have friends like you guys!
ReplyDeleteDang. This is so sad. I'm definitely holding my baby a little tighter and a little longer tonight after reading this!
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