I'm so in awe of people who have the inner stregth to do the hard work of healing - I'm not sure if I was so injured I would have the where-with-all to lift myself out of the darkness.
What an excellent example of how important the ancient African concept of "it takes a village to raise a child" truly is. How sad that so many turn their backs on children - the signs in this young woman's case had to be so glaringly obvious!
It always amazes me when our cowboy society expects people to pull themselves up by only their boot-straps. There is terrible contempt for folks who don't conform to the expectations of total self-reliance. That parents alone are responsible for raising their children, and no matter what horrors are visited on children, the minute that child reaches 18, they are to "just get over it!" and act "right". What a horrible injustice to all of us! I usually ask people with this attitude why are there billions of people on the Earth if we're supposed to do everything on our own?! Or why do we get those pesky itches on our backs where we need help to scratch?! ;)
But no - they say that the parents alone are responsible - I have news! Even good parents need help!
We were so lucky while raising our son - my mother-in-law came to stay with us, we had wonderful neighbors who were so helpful. When we moved to an apartment complex when our son was a pre-schooler, we found our own village - folks who looked out for each other. We moms would take turns looking after the kids, always looking out for the neighborhood, kissing boo-boo's, making enough chocolate chip cookies for everyone, and all the rest.
When we see children in trouble, we need to speak out. There is no excuse for not helping a child in need. Yet, the very people who knew but didn't seek help, cluck about how terrible the situation is when the child is finally discovered and rescued - and even pick up the phone or send donations or whatever, wanting to do something. I guess it's like seeing the "adopt a pet" segments on the news. Ignore the strays in the neighborhood, but call to adopt the poor creature who is shown on the 6 o'clock news. It's much easier to be outraged after the fact, than to take action to help prevent it in the first place.
So, yes, I'll continue to keep an eye on the neighborhood kids, continue to take action when I need to and encourage others to do the same. Reaching out with compassion for all people is the hallmark of my faith - even when it's scarey, hard, dangerous, or not appreciated. Even when I don't feel compassionate, to behave with compassion will never be something I'll later live to regret.
