We enjoyed a direct flight plane trip with part of our family just before Thanksgiving. Hank and Margie are 8 and 4 and 7/12th, respectively. They have been well coached on the dangers that surround us away from home and in general they stay within site. Well, except Margie who has a tendency to wonder off when distracted. At the Aquarium in Scottsdale we were near the end of the exhibits and focused on the unusual fresh water fish. Margie was there and then she was gone, I walked to the exit and the security people had not seen her. I retraced our steps back through the long tunnels and exhibits to find Margie staring at the sharks. She said she was looking for us but not frightening until I explained we were all looking for her!! In the meantime, her parents had gotten the attention of the security group and they put the entire facility into lock down. No one could enter or leave the property until we found the missing child. Very impressive and according to the staff a situation that is not unique to Miss Margie. As I attended a final birthday party for Hank at a local fun spot, I wondered if they were prepared for such an event. I can tell you, Margie had a private spotter for the entire event.
This experience came to mind when I read the story and then watched the video of the 16 year old girl abducted in North Carolina was saved because of a hand gesture. The gesture which is simply holding the hand palm forward with fingers and thumbs raised, folding the thumb into the palm and closing the fingers over it, trapping the thumb. The Canadian Women’s Foundation created it as a “Signal for Help”. The group launched it in 2020, anticipating domestic violence victims may need it during quarantine. The signal could be used in the car, the yard, electronic face time settings as a silent call for help. Studies of the emotional and financial stress caused by the pandemic support the theory and the evidence is clear, domestic violence has increased. The hand gesture was made popular on TikTok. The Sheriff who oversaw the apprehension of the sixty one year old kidnapper reminded us that the hand signal is only valuable if it is understand and action taken. The passing motorist recognized the girl’s message and called emergency services. The young girl is back with her family and hopefully justice will be served to her abductor.
Next week I am delving into the Butterfly exhibit in Scottsdale and the profound effect each of our lives have today and into the future. Stay tuned.
I admire the Canadians, not just for the clever sense of humor, insightful creativity and the quintessential Canadian concoction called poutine. They have a way of shrugging their shoulders with a chuckle when American politics comes up as a topic. During the Great Mexican Wall building nonsense our ski friends suggested they had plans for a wall to keep the Americans out. Always a pleasure to go to Canada on our ski trips, what a beautiful country.
Thanks for getting vaccinated and wearing a mask, the sense of urgency remains as a top priority for those who think clearly about what they can do for the greater good.
Think snow. Mike