The holiday weekend was great and things went along smoothly, until something happened that sent chills down my spine and really sent Frick for a loop. As much as I hate to say it, I am grateful for the teaching moment we got from it.A young girl from the next town over, a senior who had just graduated, went missing on Sunday night. Frick knew this girl, not well, but had acted in a production of "Annie" two years ago with this lovely young lady. Her father reported her missing late Sunday night when she didn't return home her job at a local mall. Her body was found yesterday in a marsh in the small town she lived in. Police aren't saying much except that it is being treated as a homicide investigation and that they have one person of interest.
Frick has been mesmerized with the events that have been playing out on Facebook and the conspiracy theories that have been circulating, and I can't say that I blame her. This one hit a little too close to home for either of our likings. I saw in my child the realization that if it could happen here, it could happen to anyone.
I had to tell her. I had to say it and as sorry I am for that family who lost a beautiful child, I am grateful to be able to use this to teach my daughter about the dangers that exist in this vast and inviting world.
- I told her that all those times she told me I was being ridiculously strict with her, this is why.
- I told her that this is why I won't let her go out of the house without me knowing exactly where she is going and for how long she will be there.
- I told her that this is why her step father wants her to text him when she gets to places and parties and why her curfew's must be adhered to with utmost of punctuality.
And Frack looked my straight in the eye and for once didn't roll her teenage eyes at me, and said, "Message received mom."
Those were probably the two greatest and most honest words I have heard in a long time.
I read about that down here and thought of you actually.
ReplyDeleteI am a firm believer that shielding our kids from evils like this won't help them. Instead, I feel that it is best to educate them. To let them know that these crimes do not discriminate and that they can die just as easily.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you and the kids had to experience this but I am glad you are safe and better educated.
I have a 17 yo and I know that I am very protective. The greatest thing about her is that she wants someone to know where she is going, how long she will be there, who she will be with. We usually can deal with all of it.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to all that were touched by this tragic story. I pray for that family, especially.
That's good that she gets it, I am just sorry it took a horrible event like that.
ReplyDeleteI hear these stories (our current one is a missing teen college student in Indiana) and am so glad our 14 year old daughter would rather sit in her room and read vs. go out with friends.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hate the sad fact that I said "our current one" knowing that there will be more in the future.
Horrible. So sorry for everyone hurt by this.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard isn't it... my daughter wants to go to a party on Sat where a friends band is launching their first recording. However last week a woman was attacked right in that area. You tell her this and that and worry but wrapping them up away from it all won't fix it either... very difficult
Is the entire being of America finding it's soul in Detroit? 9-12 kids a day go missing some turn up alive as run-aways but most turn up as bodies, shot and left on the sidewalk or in an abandoned house.
ReplyDeleteI hate to say it but for the first time in my life I have had to "arm up" and position defensive fall back positions on my property.
What have we become?
This is a helpful article.I read this post,this post shares information about breast cancer and it's treatment
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