We usually do something different with our kids and have a fall harvest celebration.  If the weather is decent we will have a campfire and maybe we do something like put up a pinata with a minimum of candy to tickle their fancy; but, not enough to be obscene about how much candy they end up consuming.   It is a good idea to have some games planned and invite their friends.  Be prepared for loud and boisterous fun…but that is ok…they are supposed to be having a good time.

          My  main concern about this time of year  is safety and spiritual well-being.  Some Halloween revelers take things to a level glorifying evil and gore.    I don’t like all of the gore, the frightening costumes, the evil that seems to be celebrated by some.  Most of all, i don’t like how vulnerable the kids are to violence, to kidnapping, or to many of the other dangers that go along with the so called “holiday”.   I think it is a good time to remind parents to keep your kids close…minimize the danger that they are exposed to. 

       When it comes to costumes…make sure that they have some kind of reflective quality so that they can be seen in the low lighting conditions.  Have them carry a lighting device or a glow stick.  Go over reminders of safe street crossings and appropriate approaches to people’s homes and property.  There are some people who do not watch out for little ones crossing streets and sidewalks.  Then there are those who don’t appreciate kids and teens prancing across their lawns “begging for candy”. 

        Every year we hear of parties that have gone wrong and someone is killed or injured in a fight or in a case of over-reaction to a misunderstanding.  We hear about kids who go about doing destructive pranks and then their are the occasional people with emotional/anger/substance abuse issues who react violently.  We hear about teens horsing around and accidents happening where another in the crowd is injured or killed because things get out of control.  There are incidents of bullying or gang activity.  There are rapes…and kidnappings; children become lost or missing in communities; they are at risk for predators at this time of year especially when it is acceptable to be walking the streets with masks on and in disquise.  Large cities often have issues with “devil’s night” fires and looting. These things can be minimized if parents take steps to insure that they know where their kids are and what they are doing…as well as who they are with.

         It is wise to go out with your children if you are going to allow them to go trick or treating.   Don’t let them out of your site.  You really don’t know who to trust and who your child/teen will be meeting up with.  It seems weekly that there are reports of missing and or exploited children…noone wants their child to be one of them.  We have heard too any news stories recently about children who have been violated or murdered to just let them go off and wish them a good time.  Parenting responsibilities don’t end just because your kids may be able to go off with a crowd.  

        Even teens…God bless them can get caught up in situations that either are not in their best interest or that can endanger them.   Your teens probably won’t verbalize their appreciation if you take a protective stance about their activities…however, no one ever promised that parenting would win you any popularity contest, now did they?   Create an alternative environment for them to get together with their friends; but, still be supervised and protected.   Law enforcement officers will appreciate the help because they can’t be everywhere at once. 

         I just can’t seem to get into the mind set of paying  a large amount of money, per person mind you (I have a big family) only to be crowded, charged more than I can afford for food and drinks, and jostled around by those hustling to and fro from one entertaining event or ride to another.   Some of these places also have waterparks attached to them. 

            Safety is a big issue…not only physical safety…but, a personal awareness of those who are around your family members.  Remember, you don’t know each of the other people surrounding you…you don’t have a clue who has a criminal background or boundary issues.  Keeping an eye on those who are vulnerable such as the elderly, young children or teens who are vulnerable to manipulation by persuasive or charismatic people is important.  Just because this is an entertainment/amusement park doesn’t mean you can relax your normal responsibility towards physical, emotional or sexual safety.  It can be a bit stressful. 

           Oh, there are some events that I force myself to go to for the kids, spend more money than is wise to spend…only to hear whinning because they ONLY got to ride the rides X amount of times.  I am forced to listen to more whinning as they see this shinny thing, or smell this wonderful treat (that is terribly unhealthy) that they are not allowed to have.   Other people’s children are running around and screaming and pushing and crying; trying to manipulate to get what they want.   Those who run the games and the rides are sometimes unsavory looking characters that  I wouldn’t let near my family, at any other time.   Other workers are just normal everyday people looking to earn a living…sometimes, looks don’t reveal the intention behind the smile and the polite demeanor.   You can’t judge a book by it’s cover…so you have to follow your instincts.  If you are uncomfortable …move on and teach your children to do the same.

            I feel that I need to keep my eye on each and every member of the family so that no one becomes seperated in the crowd…that just is not safe.  After all, people with ulterior motives hang out at these events too.  I don’t want my family to be affected by someone with evil intent on their hearts and minds.  Too many children (and adults) are assaulted, faced with violence, become a victim of a crime, or come up missing when they are in environments that have loose boundaries and where people tend to blend into the crowd becoming anonymous.   The old saying applies well here, it is better to be safe than sorry.  No one wants to be that person on the evening news…who has had a child taken, become the victim of a crime, or who has been injured because the amusement ride has broken down due to poor maintence and caused injury, to those who were on it at the time.

          I admit, that it is a time of frustration in the family.  Children want to go, do, and spend.    They are not aware of all of the dangers; they only see an opportunity to go have fun.   It is up to you as a parent to think of these things and try to prevent those things that you can prevent.   Kids want total freedom to just wander around with some of their friends…but, my husband and I do not feel that in today’s world that is a safe option.  So we compromise (alot)…no one is truly Happy…but, we all try to find a middle ground where we each get a little of what we want.  I spend more than I want and less than they want, we go do more than I wish and less than they do, they get to choose their rides within the financial guidelines we set at the beginning…and, I stand near the ride praying the whole time that this ride that has my child in it’s grips is safe and the operator knows what he/she is doing; all in all, it seems to work in a masochistic kind of way.   So, it is mid July…here we go again!

           Daniel and his mother chose to run away rather than face the forced chemotherapy.  That is what people often do when they feel threatened or afraid; who can blame him.   His father begged for them to return in the media.  It is supposed that they were on their way to Mexico for alternative treatments; although, I dont believe that was confirmed.  Regardless they were gone and everyone was worried about them disappearing.   However, when a warrant was issued for the arrest of his mother…they chose to come back.  I am glad that the family is reunited during this difficult time.

            Today, a judge has ordered that Daniel Hauser start chemo on Thursday.  Please pray for this family and Daniel’s healing.  Not only will he need medical support but the whole family will need emotional support as they travel this journey!

          It leaves the impression of guilt by association, though this is unfortunate, because many of them may not have had any idea about the fraud that was taking place.   I personally doubt whether he advertised the fact of what he was doing, to his friends and family; it isn’t something most people would be proud of.    I am thinking about his wife in particular; did she know where the money in their lives came from?  She is also allegedly, being investigated; and, unless she had direct involvement in the day-to-day business operations…how would she know what he did while he was at work? 

         Still, if the money in their accounts is  found to be accumulated from the fraud; the government could confiscate it couldn’t they?  His own family members could end up being “victims” of his actions, just as well as, those who lost so much financially!  Bernie will be sentenced for his crimes in June.   What the additional investigation finds, will also determine what happens to the others that are being investigated by their association with Bernie Madoff.  Bernie may have plead guilty, but, if this investigation negatively impacts his friends and family…you have to wonder if he will actually feel any guilt!

         In this kind of a case, the cloud of suspicion could literally destroy many more lives than those that have already been destroyed.  If Bernie Madoff could admit his guilt in court…why can’t he just be honest and tell the investigators where the money is?   Maybe if some of the money could be found…maybe some of the people who were ripped off could get some of their money back.  If he is keeping that missing money information to himself…it could destroy those that he supposedly cares about, such as his wife, children, business associates and such.  Let the guilty be found out…and the innocent be proven so; still, what if the money is found  in their accounts without their having knowledge of the scam? 

           So many lives have been destroyed by this security fraud…this Ponzi scam this abuse of trust, it is sickening.  People have lost so much of their money that they counted on to survive.  It makes a person intensely frustrated and angry that Mr. Madoff will be sitting in a prison cell…getting three meals a day and all of his basic needs will be met; while his “victims” future is still up in the air.  The levels of trust and responsibility that we put in our leaders is immense and needs honored by meeting those levels of trust and responbility and exceeding it!  This damages everyone’s ability to trust those in authority, who’s decisions affect our lives…has it affected how you trust people?

     Each time that there was new information on the case, the media brought it to the public.  That picture of the beautiful young child, with the mahogony brown hair and the sweet chocolate brown eyes that look up so innocently from her preciously folded hands under her chin, is embeded in my mind’s eye for life.  

        Caylee’s spirit seems to call out to the person looking at her picture.  She was begging someone to find her with those big, beautiful eyes.  She deserved to be found; better yet…she deserved to live.  No child should have experienced what happened to young Caylee.

         This week it was confirmed that her skeleton was found less than a half of a mile away from the home that Caylee, and her mother Casey, shared with Caylee’s grandparents before she was discovered to be missing.  That is a horrible ending to the search for Caylee.

          Many believed that Caylee was deceased.  No-one wanted it to be true.  However, a meter reader found her remains in a garbage bag.   She was tossed away like she was garbarge to be dumped…that truly makes me sick.  I hope it haunts whoever is responsible for throwing away Caylee’s life.   News reports are not too informative ( i am sure that is for legal reasons  when Casey Anthony goes to trial for the alleged murder of her child).  What we do know is that the meter reader had called in to the authorities in August for them to search the area where Caylee’s remains were found on December 11, 2008.   It sounds as if an attempt was made by authorities to search the area but it may have been flooded at that time.   This past week, tests determined that the skeleton was indeed Caylee.  That skeleton was in pieces that were scattered around the area.  There was no flesh…and apparently, there was duct tape over the child’s mouth.  What kind of cruelty is that…the child was two years old for heaven’s sake!

        It is a horrible case; will the whole truth ever be known?  It is hard to tell; as Casey Anthony has told so many versions of “her” truth…that it will be hard to discern what really did happen.  It was decided that the prosecutors are not going for the death penalty, as they felt that the public would best be served by her serving life in prison; if indeed she is convicted of the murder of her 2 year old toddler.

         It is heartbreaking to know that a parent is even capable of such an evil act.  What is more heartbreaking is wondering if Caylee was aware of what was happening; and, if it is true that her mother caused her death…whether she knew who was causing her harm.    Earlier reports said that Casey Anthony had done internet searches on using Choloraform.  Whatever happened, it is a sad thing all around.  There are always plenty of adoptive homes that are ready, willing and able to care for a child such as Caylee.  Murder should never be an option; especially when it sounds as if Caylee’s parents would have gladly cared for Caylee. 

          As many grieve for Caylee…let’s remember those who were closest to her; those who loved her and cared for her.  Will there ever be enough information given to the public to understand why Caylee’s life was taken?  Probably not…however, any honest information would be welcome to those of us who have heavy hearts when we think about the death of Caylee.  It should never have happened!  Does her picture call out to anyone else out there?  She had a short life but made a big impact on alot of people.

       Jennifer and her sister Julia have lost their mother, Darnell Donerson and their brother, Jason Hudson; and, Julia’s son Julian is missing.  This home that the murders took place in was Jennifer’s refuge from the crush of the world that she stepped into as a celebrity when her star began to rise from her singing and her acting over the last several years.

       The Hudson family was and is a family of faith.  Jennifer has said that she grew up in that home, that neighborhood and her home church.  It is an integral part of her support system.   It is part of who she is.  Her mother did not want to move when her daughter became famous…they didn’t want that celebrity to change who they were as a family.  Their home was the center of their family.  It was where all things sprouted for them.  Where they came to; to be together.  It was a safe place.  A place of nurturing.

        What happens now; other than trying desperately to get answers to where Julian is….and what happened to their mother and their brother?  Julia and Jennifer are on automatic pilot i am sure at the moment.  Trying to make sense of things…hoping and praying for the safe return of Julian.  But, their safe place has been invaded.

        How will they ever be able to look at that home and feel what they once felt.  Will it ever feel like home again?  Or will they always feel loss and hurt when they look upon the face of the place that has so many memories for their family.  What about Julian when he comes home…did that poor baby witness the murder of his beloved grandmother and uncle?  Will he ever feel safe there again?  Will he ever feel “at home” somewhere else?  What does this kind of trauma do to a human mind and soul? 

         Many people experience such traumas in their lives…it is something that can be overcome…but, it does shake the foundation of a person/family to rebuild that sense of trust and safety.  Please pray for the Hudson family…as well as, anyone else who has had to go through something so violent and traumatic.  Their faith in God will help them through this time.  However, they are human…and will go through much before they are able to recover and overcome.  Have you ever gone through a trauma that has made your safe place feel violated or unsafe to you?  How did you handle it?

        The man’s name, you ask?  Well, i wish I could tell you for sure.  He has many names from the sound of it.  He has used the alias’ of Clark Rock, Clark Rockefeller, among other names.  He has allegedly implied that he was related to the Nelson Rockefeller line.  He appears to have been living the golden life of priviledge; now he is just a ghost.  He and his wife Sandra Boss divorced and she had custody…he got supervised visitation.  He allegedly assaulted and injured the social worker who supervised the visit; and, he took the child.  He has escaped, and the authorities have issued a federal kidnapping warrant for his arrest. 

         The investigation into the man has earned him the name of “Ghost” because the authorities can’t seem to find any identifying information on the man; nor so far, have they been able to find him or his child.  He doesn’t appear to have a SSN, a marriage certificate…even though he and his wife divorced, proof of education at Harvard or Yale like he claimed, or, any solid work history or anything resembling a normal background, like a man his age would have. 

        Some information has been released that he bought 300 golden eagle coins worth about $1,000.00 each; they are spendable.  However, it seems to me…anyone who is presented with golden coins to do a transaction would be alerted to the idea of a search being done around the world for this man and his young daughter.  It was also said that he purchased a yacht called Serenity in the last few weeks. 

         What i want to know is…where does a man who has no job, no SSN, and no apparent means of financial support get that kind of money…i mean…$300,000.00?  Sure his ex-wife is a senior partner in London, i believe; however…from the lifestyle this man was living…he had to have some kind of high powered source of income, right?  Hopefully, the authorities can somehow “follow the money” to get more clues about who is helping this man to elude capture.  At this point, it is a mystery with high stakes…the life of Reigh.

           Anytime you hear about someone with no background history… it is usually in connection with the witness protection program or some undercover top secret military spy, right?  Somebody knows something about this man and where he would go and what he would do.  It is said that he is a paranoid man, by some, how safe is his daughter if he feels that he is being hunted down and chased around the world?  Some reports claim that he has cut little Reigh’s hair short like a boy trying to disquise her appearance.

          Hopefully, little Reigh Boss can be brought home without injury or trauma.  You have to wonder how much she knows about the situation…if she loves her father…how is she going to feel when he is captured?  She is used to living with her mother…is she feeling scared and missing her mother? I am sure she is.  How do we protect our children from these kinds of situations?  When the parents are supposed to put their child’s needs above their own…letting them see their other parent…even when you don’t feel it is safe…even when the courts make you have a supervised visit?  What more could the mother have done to insure her daughter’s safety besides having the social worker supervise the visit?  Update:  breaking news…Clark Rockefellar has turned himself in to Baltimore police…more information to come!  Yeah!!!  Reigh was found safe…when her mother was told…she fainted into the officers arms.    Finanally, one of these types of stories that has a good ending.  Thank you God!

           Madeleine’s parents were made the targets of suspicion by the authorities and the media,  when it was made known to the public that they left 3 year old Madeleine and her brother Sean alone in their hotel room while they went to dinner.  It was a terrible decision and many are fearful of what has happened to Maddy.  The parents were villified for making such a horrible error in judgement.  Madeleine disappeared and no one knows what has happened to the beautiful little girl.  The parents have vigorously denied that they had anything to do with her disappearance.  I am sure they have relieved that day and night over and over wishing that they could change what happened. 

           This friday, there will be an interview on 20/20 on ABC with Madeleine’s parents at 10 pm.  I will be watching.  I can’t imagine the heartache they are going through.  Some judge the parents harshly…i would suspect not as harshly as they judge themselves each day as they long for Madeleine’s return.  It is the hope of many that Madeleine will be found soon.

          It seemed for a time that everyone was Mad About Madeleine…there were supposed sightings everywhere.  If only someone were to actually find her; what joy that would bring.  In the meantime, Madeleine’s parents have been trying to fight for a system to be established in Europe for an Amber Alert.  This would greatly improve the chances of someone trying to find a lost child in an area of the world where people cross boarders from one country into another and disappear quite easily.

      Update:  Here is a site that the family has established to help find Madeleine: http://www.findmadeleine.com/updates.html  Please keep checking on any news or updates there!

         Luther always embodied the beauty of romance and love in his songs.  He was one singer who always touched hearts with his music and his message.  He died about a year and a half ago…i will always miss hearing the music that he would have served up, had he lived.  He was talented and he was gifted in his delivery.   Luther had heart; and, he sang with passion. 

        The song i heard today was, Here and Now; i remember seeing my cousin dance the first dance with her new husband, at her wedding, to that song.  She is gone now; passed away very young from cancer.  However, when i hear that song…i remember her happiness and the Promise of a forever love.

            So, i think i will get out my Luther CD’s and will have me a remembrance today.    There is no one out there like him today musically.  If they could bottle his talent and his skill…someone would be very blessed to own it.

       I am sure as they are checked out physically and stabilized that their story will prove to be nothing less than inspiring.  The best news is that they will be home in time for Christmas for their loved ones to celebrate with.  I feared that it would end badly.  

       While they were missing, the mother of the children said that her ex-husband was her best friend.  That is refreshing to hear ex-spouses speak not only respectfully of each other; but, also with great care.  Another Christmas miracle if you ask me that they are all found!

         It is nice to hear something on the news that has a happy ending for a change.  Thank you God!