I started the weekend grateful for no plans and two full days of building legos, eating snacks, watching the food network and naps.
Two hours later, I was grateful that I had a down comforter because I found myself sick in bed with the stomach flu. Keith kept the kids quiet with movies and popcorn while I slept.
The only good thing about the stomach flu....is the weight loss.
Saturday night, my world was ripped apart with news of another attempted abduction of a child the next town over....just 7 miles door to door. I sat up in bed obsessively checking twitter because the grandmother of the victim had managed to snap a picture of the car with her cell phone.
I finally had to go to sleep....I was delirious with fever and fear. But sleep didn't come easily because I was angry that my children aren't safe. I tweeted that my kids were never going outside again....and I was only half kidding.
Sunday brought a beautiful Colorado day. A perfect day for playing outside with friends. Mallory asked to go outside but we had to say no. Poor thing had a sick mama and a daddy on a deadline trying to work and take care of kids at the same time. There wasn't an adult to go out with her...which is the new rule.
The new rule.
We have a bunch of new rules now. You can't run ahead. I have to be able to see you at all times. Don't talk to or take anything from people you don't know. Adults don't need kids help so if someone asks you to help them find their puppy you need to scream and run. Run fast.
I hate the new rules.
But they are a necessary evil because there is evil among us and I can't have blind trust that they will be safe. You all know me. I'm pro-active and I can't sit and do nothing. You know damn well that if someone harms ONE hair on my kids' heads that I'd go ape shit crazy. Some of you think I'm already there.
With all of this said. The one thing I could find to be thankful for this week is....Law Enforcement.
Bless them for all they are doing and have done to try to keep my community safe.
And Rest in Peace Jessica Ridgefield.
I thought of you all weekend when I saw that they had finally identified her, and when I read of the other two abduction attempts. I hope they find the monster soon.
ReplyDelete*hugs* from a fellow Coloradoan.
It hurts my heart that we live in this kind of world and have to stand guard like this. So very sad.
ReplyDeleteHorrible. Just horrible. So sad that kids have to live under these rules, and the parents have this fear in their hearts. I hate that one ugly soul can do that kind of damage.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so sad that we can't even let our kids play in the front yard by themselves. People are sick.
ReplyDeleteSuch a terrifying time in history indeed. :(
ReplyDeleteit's so sad we had a college student and a 10yr old go missing last week both were found this weekend dead. one at the hands of his roommate the other abducted while walking to school it's very awful to know our world has come to this.
ReplyDeleteso so sad. my heart breaks for those families.
ReplyDeleteweight loss? can you spit in some soup or something and send it my way? ;)
Ugh so so awful. I never allow my kids in the front yard unless an adult (a trusted one) is out there with them. So different from when I grew up- but just have to do it for peace of mind
ReplyDeleteunbelievably scary.....such a scary world. I hate those new rules too but they are necessary. Hope you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you had the stomach flu. That is seriously the WORST kind of sick to be. :o(
ReplyDeleteEven though we live in the middle of nowhere, I still worry about this sort of thing. Don't get me wrong - I feel safe enough letting Lexie go take care of the chickens or play outside on her own, but walk or bike a half mile down the road to her friend Noah's house by herself? No way. I definitely don't feel safe enough to do that.