Shasta Groene, Elizabeth Smart and other sex crime victims

This little girl, along with Elizabeth Smart, has captured my heart and my sympathy far beyond any words could ever express. I can't hardly watch the video of her anymore where it shows her walking through the store with her arms so tightly clutched to her body, looking into the faces of strangers as though yelling out, "HELP ME, I'm SHASTA... THE MISSING GIRL." The thoughts of Elizabeth being right behind her own home for weeks, and then on the run with two predators, well, it's just too much.

It also makes my blood boil that the press is releasing details of what happened to her and her brother, Dylan. Most sensible people can put the puzzle pieces together. (little boy, little girl, abducted by sex offender????) Why is it necessary to go on national television and say what happened to her? She is a child, who is already facing the hard task of resuming a normal life. She doesn't need the stories floating around for the rest of her life. May God bless her and what family her kidnapper/murderer did not take away. I can also only hope that no more details are released in this case of a sexual nature, or any other victim of sex crimes. Let these people try to live in peace and work on resuming a normal life. We the public have no business in their business!

London Attacks

Sympathy and prayers goes to everyone that has once again fell victim to terrorists. Having lived in England back in the '80's and still having friends there, it's hits us personally, but not anymore so than if it had happened here or anywhere for that matter. Images of people covered in blood and wondering around in shock brings back to all of us horrible memories of 9/11 and once again brings back the reality that we are not safe. I take it personally when my fifteen year old comes to me and says, "Mom, I don't want to go on vacation to Los Angeles tomorrow because it isn't safe." How do I convince him that it is perfectly safe because I don't think any of us are safe at any time in any place? Do we let it cripple us? No, we can't, but sometimes it is easier said than done.

When I was his age and I laid my head down at night my thoughts weren't of fear of being attacked by terrorists, but rather wondering about the date I had the next night or which pair of Calvin's I would wear. It saddens me that someone has taken that away from my child, and from yours.