There has been a lot of "buzz" recently about the latest missing child case, baby Lisa. I remember hearing about it last week. I generally try not to keep up on current events, especially ones I find depressing, but this one happened to catch my attention. Maybe it hit home because recent changes in life have made the event more relate-able.
I'm sorry to say that my initial reaction was one of suspicion. Afterwards I had to wonder if I was genuinely suspicious or just predisposed towards certain conclusions based on media coverage of previous cases. I empathize with the parents if they are innocent, because they must realize or at least suspect that everyone is secretly wondering if they had something to do with it. I can imagine the frustration of going to everyone and anyone for help and feeling like I needed to add, "and no dammit we didn't do anything to her." to the end of every request.
I had higher hopes in the first week that she would be found. Some part of me has a hard time getting my head around just how small we as individuals are. It feels like it "should be" as easy as, "Hey everyone! Stop! Look around! Where is this girl?" and for a brief moment the national consciousness would shift to the task at hand. At least in the world in my mind that's the way it comes together!
I sincerely hope they find her and discover what happened, but I hope even more that her return exonerates the parents so society has example to hold on to that doesn't involve the parents the next time this kind of thing happens.
