BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES!!!
Life has been a little...hmmm...what's the word? ...Odd, I guess I would say. And, I suppose scary. A few things have unfolded over the past few weeks that have given me goosies and made me feel a little strange in my own home. And, I don't like it.
First, let me explain. A series of events have been publicized that have probably had me even more 'on edge' than I typically am. Obviously, the tragic incident with the 10 year old girl who was kidnapped in Colorado made me sick to my stomach. With that in the back of my mind, I later am informed about a suspicious vehicle in the VC area, which was driven by a couple who would entice children to "come see a puppy," and attempt to take them. Really?? COME. ON. This made my stomach roll...to even have to be aware of something like this is just asinine. (Update: we have since found out that the suspicious vehicle warning was only a rumor -- but, at the time of these subsequent events, I was still nerve-wracked about it!)
A 'thief in the night' decided the pay a visit to the Shaffers two weeks ago. Luckily, he only escaped with an iPod. I'm praying he listened to the music and sermons that were on it before selling it. Maybe it would do him some good. I wasn't really convinced that it was even worth reporting. But, ironically miraculously, God placed a police officer on my street the following evening to direct some traffic. As he was walking to his patrol car, I hollered.
Me: "Excuse me, sir!"
Officer: "Hi."
Me: "Hi. I have a quick question. We had an iPod stolen last night. Can I file a report with you right here, or do I have to go to the station to do that?"
Officer: "I'd be glad to do it for you. This will make the fourth report of theft along these houses from last night."
WHAT?! Okay, so being the nuts that we are, Sam and I spent the rest of the evening tugging Maya and Gabriel along with us to knock on every single door along our street. Our mission was two-fold: 1) to inform our neighbors and help each other 'keep an eye out' for unusual happenings; and 2) to learn who made the other reports around us. Come to find out, most of our neighbors were not surprised. Everyone around us stated that this was nothing new to them; the break-ins have been occurring since Easter! The most common finding was several of them having gas siphoned from their tanks.
GOOD GRIEF!!! REALLY?!?! (We aren't used to these issues on the West side of the tracks; most people wouldn't come to the ghetto to steal. Apparently, times have changed. lol)
Now, onto the next event that unfolded. And, with the previous thoughts lurking, tell me how you would have reacted to the following.
Maya had a doctor's appointment on Friday. Sam picked me up from work. On our way to the school, we called to inform them we were about 5 minutes away. We were told, "Great! She will be ready for you in the office." Sam parked the car directly outside of the office doors, and I waited in the car while he went inside to get her. I happened to look up from playing Connect 4 on my phone, and I saw Maya's teacher come out of the middle set of doors, calling her name and looking all around, as if she had no clue where Maya was! When I saw the panic on her face and finally comprehended that she was actually looking for my daughter, my heart sank. I ripped open my car door and ran inside. Sam was standing there, completing paperwork. (Which now seems absurd, considering he was signing out a child that they didn't even have!)
Me: "Where is Maya??"
Sam: "They don't know!"
Me: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'THEY DON'T KNOW?'"
Secretary: shrugging her shoulders and smiling from ear to ear, "Yeah, we just don't know. We are trying to find her, but we don't know where she is right now."
Me: "Call the cops! WHERE IS MAYA?!?!?!?!?!?!"
Sam: "Do you think your mom would have her?"
Me: "CALL, RIGHT NOW. I HAVE NO CLUE. CALL 9-1-1. CALL SOMEBODY!!!"
Immediately, Sam was on the phone with my mom. Yes. Maya had left the school building, crossed the street, and walked to my mom's house -- alone -- without anyone from the school ever knowing. COME ON, ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN??? THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR PROTECTING MY LITTLE GIRL!!! WHAT IF MY MOM WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN HOME? WHAT IF A CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN COMING WHEN SHE CROSSED THE STREET? WHAT IF A PT CRUISER WOULD HAVE STOPPED AND ASKED HER TO LOOK AT A CUTE PUPPY? WHAT IF THE INTRUST BANK ROBBERS WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE LOOSE THAT SAME DAY??? WHAT IF...WHAT IF...WHAT IF???!!!???
Yet, EYE am expected to remain calm and professional. When I met with the teacher and principal at conferences on Monday night, I was told to "not wonder 'What if?'"
REALLY???!!! WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR CHILD???!!!
This whole week, I have tried to let it go. I have tried to understand that the school staff was apologetic. But, COME ON! Is an apology really good enough? Am I supposed to be okay with this and just 'let it go?' Because here is the explanation I was given: "We are really sorry. It was just one of those flukes. This type of thing doesn't happen often. We just have to be thankful that she was kept safe and pray that it won't happen again."
GOOD. GRIEF!!! How about not just praying that it won't happen again, but MAKING SURE AND TAKING ACTION TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN?!?!?!?!
I don't want to be a complete witch, but this is my CHILD we are talking about!!! What do I do...aside from living in poverty to homeschool my sweet babies???!!!
I am still undecided about what to do. Is it enough that the principal and teacher apologized and made me 'feel better', momentarily? For whatever reason, whether it be fear for my own babies or fear of it happening to someone else's babies, I can't get over what happened. I need to know that a lesson was learned and the appropriate policies are in place -- even back-up policies for 'fluke' situations -- so I can be certain that the safety and security is the number one priority of USD 262 (yes, even ABOVE education)!
And now the robbery...*sigh*
I've posted this before, but I need a good reminder, and maybe some of you need this, too.
Today I'm thankful for REFUGE. I'm especially thankful that I have more than one "resource for aid, relief, or escape."
One refuge is my children. After working all day long, and being physically, mentally, and emotionally drained, I can always count on Maya and Gabriel to relieve me of any feelings of sadness, pain, or grief.
Another refuge is my husband. Lately, since I've gone back to work, I've been counting on Sam's aid with the kids, especially at night. I know this might seem to be minute, but I can't imagine what I would do if I didn't have him to count on. Obviously, there are other ways that a spouse can be your refuge...and for mine, I'm thankful.
My family is a HUGE refuge for me. Any time, any place, and for any reason, I know that I have family who I can go to for shelter, protection, safety, aid, relief, or escape. My mom and dad have been a refuge for me more times than I can even count--and to this day, they are ready and willing in any situation. And not just my mom and dad, but my sister, my aunts, my uncles, my GRANDPARENTS, my cousins, EVERYONE!
I can't close this post without mentioning the most important refuge in my life and in your life, even if you don't acknowledge it--Jesus Christ. Talk about shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc...He's it! Talk about a place of shelter, protection, or safety...He's it! Talk about anything to which one has a resource for aid, relief, or escape...He's it! He's my security, my safety, my sanctuary, my haven, my stronghold, my harbor..."my salvation and my glory: the ROCK of my strength, and my refuge, is in God." (Psalm 62:7)
xoxo,
Sarah
PS -- Maya's dr. appt. resulted in her surgery being scheduled for November 1. Please keep us in your prayers...a minor surgery is never minor for the individuals going through it! :-)
