The disappearance and ultimate death of Chelsea King has hit me hard. I have watched updates on my high school friend’s facebook pages as they reported on searching for her and praying for her with posts like, “Keep hoping and praying…we will bring you home Chelsea!!!! We will not give up”. I prayed right along with them and watched for reports that she had been found. I watched with horror on Thursday morning when they did find Chelsea King’s dead body. The facebook updates turned to more prayers but now for the family and friends grieving for their loss.

Now that I’m a mom, tragic stories about children are even more difficult to face but the fact that this little girl was best friends with my friend’s daughter made it even more awful and close to home. I went down a path of why’s today…why does there have to be sexual predators and killers in the world? why that little girl? why any little one? As I started thinking about these terrible people, it dawned on me that all of them were once children too. Most of them were abused as children and teenagers. Now comes my part. I have the responsibility to watch out for my child and every other child out there. To raise a son and protect him from bad people so that he can grow up to be a good person. So he can look out for, protect and eventually raise his own good people.

We all have a part in making sure there aren’t more Chelsea King deaths in this world. Being vigilant over suspicious behavior, trusting our instincts and God help those who need it but get help if you need it.

Anyway, I’m so grateful to be staying home with Jake to watch over him and keep him safe. I would give my life for the little guy.