I know you are used to seeing Bianca, Shauna or my face in this spot…so seeing Jay’s might be a little shocking, but that is not all that is different here today.
You may have also noticed that Burb Mom is usually all about rainbows, puppies and fluffy clouds. We consciously strive to promote all things POSITIVE about our metroplex.
We figure if you want depressing news about anything you wouldn’t be here.
I have invited Jay here today. I consider Jay a good friend both online and off. Normally, you can’t get through a post on his blog without several giggles and a head shake (high compliment)…
But today we are throwing out all that usually IS and talk about something that NEEDS to be known. –Holly
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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.”
I once spoke with a police officer about what I considered to be the surprising amount of crime in the area. He reminded me of the population in Flower Mound and said that any largely populated area is going to have crime. I can think of several shocking things that have happened in the last few years, including the attempted abduction of a friend of my daughter’s, who was in 6th grade at the time. I’ll admit that I want to give my children freedom, and at the same time I fear for them! Teaching them to be smart is important, but I am nonetheless weary of “releasing them into the world!”
I received an email about this and it was such a good reminder! I’m so glad that you posted this to really get the word out.
Wow. I needed that reminder. I think when I’m in the safety of our little “burb” I have a false sense of security. I hope this guy reported this incident to the Shops at Highland Village in case this man is hanging around.
Admittedly, I’m an uptight, hyper-vigilant mom, constantly trying to figure out where the line is between my irrational fear and reasonable caution. It’s tough to know. It’s amazing how quickly life can change. I was just wondering earlier this afternoon how often we have “near misses” when God simply intervened before we knew what was right in front of us.
A good and much needed reminder that we are probably most at risk when we feel most secure.
I saw an older man in that same area when Andie and LaShawn and I were out together at the Shops last week. He was watching us and creeped me out, yet I didn’t say anything to anyone. I kept my eyes on him until he left. Makes me wonder…
Wow. Thanks for sharing this story, Jay. It is so important to get a reminder of reality in this safe little suburb of ours!
Dammit!
Why do I have to be sitting at the Corner Bakery when
I read this. I like looked up and gave every old guy the evil eye!
No, we need to read this and remember this, but it doesn’t make it any easier to hear.
I hate bad people.
Thanks Jay for writing this. I will admit to holding little hands a little tighter since reading this.