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.”"
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
WOW!! That just brings it too close to home. Even brought a tear to my eye. I can’t imagine. Thank you for the reminder. Makes me want to fly home RIGHT NOW and just scoop my daughter up in my arms. Though that can’t happen right now, it certainly will soon. And I’ll be taking good care of my unborn son till then
Holy cow how scary. Mine are always nearly back in the womb when we go places, and I should show this to my 11 year old who is beginning the stages of “why can’t I go anywhere…(alone) or stay home alone, or….or…” Thanks for the gentle reminder and thank GOD nothing bad happened.
Jay, I am so sorry this happened to your friend. I want to sleep in my kids room after reading it. Just last week my oldest jumped out of my friends van at the bus stop right in front of an SUV. Missed death by about 1 second. It shook me to the core. Your friend is right. Life holds no guarantees.
Oh my word!!! I am freaking out….
That is insanely crazy and only makes me more of a worry wart….
Oh my God, that is so scary. May I ask, how old was Parker?
As my children have gotten older, this fear has waned somewhat. Until last Saturday. I was at Costco and saw this boy, probably about two, wandering around the aisles by himself with a bewildered look. I watched out of the side of my eye for a while–up and down two aisles he wandered. He was probably afraid to cry, but really wanted to. Other shoppers seemed oblivious to him, but as a solo dad, this sweet boy stuck out. Finally, I couldn’t just let it be. So, I slowly went to him, bent over and asked if he knew where his mommy and daddy were. He was about to speak when out of nowhere his father appeared, scooped him up and gave me a hateful look–as if I had done something wrong. We do need to be aware of evil. But, we should hold strong too to our sense of grace and love. Just as surely as there is evil, there also is goodness out there.
So scary. Thanks for the reminder.
Wow, so very scary. I hope and pray that man doesn’t walk off with ANYONE’S kids. You friends lives are forever changed to, I’m sure…
Jay, this is such a good reminder – I’m so glad you posted it. I’m so glad Parker was spared!
And thanks for stopping by my blog too.
That makes me absolutely sick to my stomach. How could anyone be so horrible? Evil is a reality and thank you for that reminder.
OMGOsh! Amazing to think someone could do it that quickly and with the parents right there! Terrifying! Absolutely terrifying.
Just stopped in to see if you were, like, you know……..still alive.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Small world story: am changing to WP and just noticed that Shauna is who did your switch, too.
Next week I’m going to be at http://www.sevenclowncircus.com
Hello? Hello? Hello?
Yes, I just left a smiley face on your blog…weird!
I’m with Holly – do we need to call the cops?
Jay-
Thank you for posting this…I have been thinking about this a lot lately. Maggie at Okay.Fine.Dammit posted something that really got to me recently and I just finished reading THE LOVELY BONES which is probably one of the best books I have ever read. Really makes you think about being a parent and protecting our children. Times are so different from when we were kids.