talk of the townevery once in a while there's a news story that has a way of capturing me. this week, it was the story of
kelsey smith, a vibrant 18-year-old from overland park who disappeared on saturday after leaving a target store. the whole town has been following the story, and i think i speak for all of us when i say that yesterday was
a sad day. they found her body left in a ditch along some of the same walking trails i stroll along with my friend cheryl every sunday morning, and not too far from my friend
esther's house.
i feel so sorry for her
family. what is it about stories like these that capture us? i can't help but think that it's the idea it could've happened to any one of us. it somehow reveals just how vulnerable we all are. it shows that even in the heart of suburbia, violence can find you. it reveals how quickly hope can turn into anguish. for me, it reveals a great fear of motherhood - that i won't be able to protect my child from harm.
like me,
kelsey was a graduate of shawnee mission west (thirteen years ago for me, just two short weeks ago for her). did we share some of the same teachers? did we walk the same hallways? did she sit on "the bridge" and hang out with her friends in between classes? potential snuffed out by a senseless and thoughtless disrespect for human life.
i didn't know her or her family, but somehow i'll miss her.
