Home at last
A few days ago the world woke up to the news of 3 women along with a child born during their time in captivity had been rescued in Cleveland, Ohio after being held captive for about a decade. I can’t even begin to imagine what freedom feels like after being subjected to all kinds of cruel abuses. The joy, relief and then the fear of repeating their experiences to authorities, families and counsellors. Families too are feeling rescued after years of waiting and wondering about the fate of their daughters. Dead or alive there could surely be no peace with no closure. The journey back to a regular life will be a difficult one but with the right kind of support I’ve no doubt they will all adjust and live fulfilling lives.
This month also marked the 6th anniversary of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann while on holiday in Portugal aged just three and no doubt it’s not just her parents who’s hope is renewed. If it can happen for Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight surely it’s not impossible for all the missing to be found. My heart breaks a little every time I think of these victims and their families. Admittedly my paranoia also grows with each of these stories and then I remind myself that I cannot live in fear. I will not.
Bianca Couch ( a young South African missing since December 2011 ) when you eventually come home where you belong just know that the light of hope did not flicker or die. Your family and friends have just found a different kind of normal way to live. Hope still springs eternal!
Happy anniversary to us
It’s been exactly two years since I registered on the WordPress site. I didn’t start blogging immediately and spent time agonising over what to call my blog and deciding what direction to go. Finally I decided to just do what I know best and that’s to give commentary on issues that interest me. Along the way I’ve developed an interest in issues such as human trafficking, missing persons and food banks.
Blogging has been a wonderful journey so far. I love sharing different aspects of my life and it’s always so rewarding when people identify with what I write. It just reassures me that I’m not alone. So to all of you who take the time to read, comment and subscribe I am so grateful.
I’ve had days where ideas flow like rivers and times when I write, save to draft and then delete. Of course finding ways to share my opinions without being overbearing is just as challenging. So far I think I’ve managed to strike a balance.
Once again thank you from my heart. I look forward to sharing many more stories, experiences and life changing events!
Innocence lost
It’s been nearly a week since April Jones a 5 year old from Wales disappeared. The search for this little girl has been intense. A suspect was arrested in connection with her disappearance on Tuesday just a day after the incident. It is now reported that he has been charged on suspicion of murder. No details have been given and there is no body. Deep down in my heart I really hope they are wrong and that she’ll be found alive and unharmed. Perhaps it seems naive but every child deserves to live a carefree existence after all this is what childhood is all about.
Abductors are really heartless people I just can’t begin to imagine what goes through an individual’s mind when they decide to destroy a family and steal a child’s innocence. There’s no doubt that even when a child is found their lives are forever changed and a lifetime of counselling becomes the order of the day. Missing people are sometimes found and Elizabeth Smart is proof of this. She was taken from her home and was missing for nine months, she testified against her abductors, went on to study at university and recently married. I wish her every happiness for her future she is truly an example of human triumph!
In recent years the world was gripped by the story of Madeleine McCann who went missing from a hotel room while on holiday with her parents in Portugal. Sadly she is still missing. There are many theories surrounding her disappearance but the bottom line is that she is missing and her family have been existing in a nightmare.
Thousands of people go missing every year and it translates to broken-hearted families. Spare a thought for all the missing persons today. Let hope burn bright always!
Without a trace
It’s estimated that about 200,000 people go missing in the UK each year. Those statistics are quite shocking when you consider that for every adult or child who goes missing that an entire family are left in limbo. My biggest concern is that the authorities get frantically involved and search relentlessly for a specified period. Thereafter the family use their own resources to track down their loved one and the financial costs escalate. While we remember the missing person occasionally their absence haunts their family daily.
It’s been nine months to the day that Bianca Couch a young South African disappeared without a trace. I cannot begin to imagine what helps her family to get through these dark days. Unconditional love, devotion and hope are no doubt their daily bread while they dream of the day they will wake up from this horrific nightmare.
Families are meant to be together and while certain people choose not to be part of their families at least it is their choice. When you’re taken against your will and your family are left to suffer and wonder about your well-being that is the cruellest of acts a family should be forced to deal with. What kind of monster would do this to a family?
Here’s hoping that family and friends of Bianca and the multitudes of missing persons never tire of keeping the hope of their safe return burning until they are home where they belong.
You are not forgotten
This post is in honour of a young South african Bianca Couch who has been missing since 20 December 2011.
Wherever you are whatever circumstances you find yourself in just know that you have people praying for and missing you terribly. Six months are a lifetime to a family who just keeps looking out the window waiting to hear your footsteps and your voice.
Today I was feeling really sorry for myself and absolutely hating that I’m so far from my parents then I immediately thought of you and while I was grateful to have the choice of picking up the phone and just saying hello. Somebody has taken that right away from you and I look forward to the day when I hear that you are home where you belong!
There are staggering statistics for missing people around the world. You’re not just a number in a database you are somebody’s daughter, sister and friend. Don’t give up Bianca you will never be forgotten!
Still missing!
It’s been exactly a month since Bianca Couch a young South African went missing. I don’t know her personally but I can’t stop thinking of her and praying for her safe return. No doubt her family are restless and searching for answers and my wish is that those answers would come soon because nobody should suffer from a life filled with uncertainty.
My daughter Gemma was just two and a half years old when she wandered off at a rather busy BBC good food show. While I’m usually a very laid back person at that moment I lost my ability to think clearly. I was frozen and immediately following that moment was a flood of tears and uncontrolled whimpering. Fortunately I was with my husband who held it together long enough to go to the right people. After twenty minutes of anguish we were reunited with our little girl and yet another flood of tears followed. We travelled home in silence and that night she slept in our bed where we could watch her.
While I realise that my experience is probably dust compared to what the family of this young lady are going through. To be faced with the prospect of losing someone you love and not knowing what the outcome will be can make even the strongest of people feel helpless. So here’s hoping that her family will have the peace that every family deserves!
Missing!
Countless families have spent the festive season frozen in a time that no person should ever have to live through. The moment you realise a loved one has gone missing without a trace. I’ve always felt very moved and deeply upset when I read of these cases of which far too many are unsolved.
This post is dedicated to the fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, extended family and friends who find it difficult to go on with their own lives because the well-being of a loved one remains a mystery.
Bianca Couch – a young South African lady missing from the 22nd of December 2011. Wherever you are remember you have a family who love you and are searching and praying for your safe return.
A CRY, A SMILE, A DANCE 
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