A lot of people remember Elizabeth Smart's abduction. I feel like I remember it more clearly than most things that were happening at that time. Mainly because of what we had in common: she is only a few months younger than me, I had lived in SLC for a while, we are both Mormon. I remember fasting and praying for her, despite a clear understanding of what I was sure had happened to her. I wanted to help look for her, but I knew no one would let me.
I remember the claims of news agencies that the evidence shows she just ran away, and that her sister was either covering her tracks or looking for attention. I admired the strength of her sister to try her best despite so much public scrutiny and despite everyone second-guessing her (and telling her it wasn't enough). I remember when her father was a suspect, and how the people around me also started to blame him (either outright - accusing him of murder, or round-about - it's his fault for letting all those ruffians into his house). I remember how some people around me still blame him...
I have followed her closely, not in a seeking-after-celebrity way - but out of a genuine interest in how she was doing, since she survived. I've wanted her to continue being okay. When she was found I searched for pictures and information, but everything was kept very private. I was always trying to find out more about her. After she testified in court I would look up the new information, and I would look up pictures to see if she looked happy. When she got married I looked for pictures and information as well. There was a little bit of guilt though, because I didn't want to invade her privacy.
I recently went with my mom to Evanston's Healthy Woman Conference. This is the second year in a row she has bought tickets for us. This year, Elizabeth Smart was the speaker. She did a great job, and I'm really glad that she told us her story. When something bad happens to us, it is often hard to talk about it. It really takes courage to invite people into the dark corners of our existence.
I have very similar feelings about Elizabeth Smart. I remember her abduction affecting me in a very real way. I had a day-by-day flip calendar and I remember leaving it on the day she went missing for months, not wanting to change it until she was home safe. I think I gave up eventually, but when she was finally found and she was alive, I cried and cried out of happiness/relief.
ReplyDeleteI think her story affected a lot of people. It would have been interesting to hear her speak.