'PROTECTING THE LEAST OF THESE'

This topic is one that has been brewing in my soul for many years. I must warn the reader that I will tell it like it is. It may get graphic.

My whole life I have worried. Worried that somewhere, someone, somehow there are women and children, but today I focus on the children, someone scared, lost and alone. Being completely abused or neglected or both. I wonder, is there an infant lying in its bed, soiled and being eaten alive by bugs. Is there, right now, as you read this, a toddler carefully buckled into a car seat in a hot car, left alone, to die there. With the unsuspecting parent merely yards away. I am in awe that as this all powerful country that we live in, that there are STILL 3,4,5 year olds being sold into slavery in other countries. AND EVEN IN OUR OWN. There are very young children, boys and girls, being sold to predators for their time of indulgences with that child. Often by their parents.

As a mother, I have a heightened awareness of the children around me, not just my own. I am the 'stereotypical smother mother'. I like to think that I know what, where, when and whom my kids are with. I have since found out how trusting I truely am. The high prices that have been paid. I have 2 daughters. Both have been violated. I thought I was being this uber protective mom. That it couldn't happen to mine. I was wrong. It can happen to ANYONE'S child. So, what are the answers to protecting our precious ones? Why is it that when the governor's and legislatures don't have any REAL concrete ideas, that they just brush over it. To something that they think that they can push right through. When did our government officials become such cowards? If something could get messy, or might take some real work, they pass over it to focus on things that only affect a very small portion of the population. Well, here is a news flash for them. THESE THINGS CAN AND DO HAPPEN TO THEIR CHILDREN. They are not somehow impervious to the ugliness. But, you can bet if it did...the theoretic shit would hit the fan. So, why can't we get it done now? Before these things continue.

I give great kudos to all the police officers and others who live, eat and breathe this. They are doing amazing things. Yet, still it feels like we are trying to empty the ocean with a teacup. So the answer? I don't know. But, I do know that I want to ask the questions. I am willing to get my teacup in there with the rest of them. Someone close to me was assaulted, by a repeat offender. He recieved 20 days in county jail, served on weekends. And has since at least attempted to reassault. I don't understand. You get more time for poaching an antelope, than you do for raping a 3 year old. I am completely astonished and frustrated by that. I am speechless at this time. I don't know what else to say, exept be aware of the little ones around you. Have the guts to stand up and question things, if they don't seem right. The worst that can happen is that it will be investigated and found innocent or guilty. You can do it anonymously. call your local police dept or protective services. We have to ALL get brave enough to be willing to get involved. Just remember the one child that we could save. How grateful their family would be. Lets go for thousands. Imagine the changes. We are the only ones who can stop this senseless behavior. Demand more from our lawmakers and enforcers. Prioritize the crimes. So that as parents, grandparents or anyone who cares about the children, can lay their head down at night, knowing their children are safe. We must be to be a part of 'protecting the least of these'....Our precious gems. Our children.