Break the pattern.

There is a trial currently in Galveston in which a mother is being charged with murdering her little girl. The details in the story of the child’s death are horrifying. It is alleged that the mother and her husband spent an entire day taking “disciplinary action” to teach the 2-year old little girl known as “Baby Grace” to say “please” and “yes sir.” I felt so badly for this little girl, for her life, and for her last hours which sound so horrible, who still said to her mom despite the pain she was in, “I love you.” This story touched me so much. I think it touched me even more because I fought so hard to help my daughter who had numerous illnesses for so many years, stay alive, and here is a case in which the charges say the opposite of these other parents..

It made me think not only about Baby Grace, but her mother and her mother’s husband. I could not help but wonder what happened to them as they were growing up. What happens in the lives of those who hurt others? Did they have someone who hurt them? Studies often show that this is the case, yet there are many who come out of homes that are filled with abuse and neglect, and they go on to do the opposite. They strive to help others and break the patterns of what happened to them. My guess is that one thing that these individuals have in common is that there was someone there who helped them, someone who mentored them, a role model for another way to live.

It’s too late to help Baby Grace in her life, but it is not too late to help others. You can be that mentor to children. You can be a role model. You can offer children hope when they feel hopeless. You can help them feel better about themselves. You are a difference maker.

Have a great day and a wonderful week.

Maryln

P.S. You can see the story at http://www.khou.com/news/local/galveston/stories/khou090126_tnt_baby-grace-trial.57f8f8b.html and if you have any comments, make them here on my blog.