No funnies today, just a reminder to hold your kids dear, and near.

As Christmas continues to ramp up, we all like to think of our suburbs as safety zones, relatively immune from the horrors we see on the news. And yet, those things are happening on our minivan-covered streets, by our exemplary schools, and out front of our designer stores.

We know a great couple in our neighborhood who had a terrifying moment this week. I am reposting what he wrote in the hope that it reminds you of family-changing possibilities that lie waiting for gaps in our attention.

Talk to your kids, keep ‘em close.

(I have changed names for anonymity)

December 3, 2009. Outside the Blue Goose in the Shops of Highland Village.

“”Amy and I were out with the kids and some friends (and their kids) on Thursday night . At the end of the meal, I went to get the car in a nearby parking lot and shortly thereafter, Amy and our friends exited. The kids were relatively close to Amy as they walked toward and were looking at a horse drawn carriage. At the same time an older looking man, without saying anything, grabbed Parker’s hand and attempted to walk off with him. Amy noticed what was happening, yelled for Parker, the man dropped Parker’s hand and walked off into the darkness. Parker ran to the safety of Amy and our lives have been changed forever. Kiss, hug and love your kids, play basketball when they want to, dance if they want you to dance and tuck them in every night with a prayer. PLEASE learn from us, do not get comfortable with your surroundings, teach your children the dangers of strangers, even at a young age, they will comprehend. It has taken me some time to write this, as my emotions have run from hatred to fear to anger, I am working on forgiveness. Lastly, please say a quick prayer for the man that changed my families’ lives forever. I pray this man and all people like him seek and receive the help they desperately need. Remember, we serve an awesome and forgiving God, who protects us in all that we do.”"