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“I am never going that park again.”
Tristen said a resolute sadness. He was ashamed for “getting into
trouble”, which he rarely does, because he is very adamant about
following rules.
“Honey, you didn't do anything wrong.
The police came to make sure you weren't supposed to be at the High
School. You are homeschooled, so you can be at the park. You
didn't do anything wrong. The police were just checking on you.”
“Oh!” He exclaimed and he bounced
up and galloped off with a light in his eye and a slight smile on his
face.
Why didn't it make ME feel any
better?
As I sit here and repeat the mantra to
myself...you weren't doing anything wrong, you weren't doing
anything wrong....the paralyzing fear is real and intense.
I don't feel good about my kids playing
at the park this morning while I walked the exterior sidewalk,
because the cops showed up and interrogated them...and because I
know you don't necessarily have to be doing something wrong
to get into trouble with the police or have your children taken away.
I know this for
multiple reasons.
I read this week
about kids being taken away from parents for walking
home from a park alone.
I know this from
the countless medical kidnaps going on in this country from anything
from asking for a second opinion, to delaying a vaccine or the doctor
just plain thinking it's all in your head . Justina Pelletier's case
made national
news. You can read about it here.
The Stanley's
in AR are still fighting to get their kids back after they were taken
for having a legal water purification substance in their house.
Now that the
initial shock is over, I'm angry that I have to be afraid. My
husband fought for this country and was injured for life doing so.
He fought so we could have freedoms. I don't feel very free.
I'm afraid to send
my child to public school. You don't have to do much googling to see
all the abuse in special ed classrooms and buses throughout the
country.
I've been afraid
to take my kid's to the doctor for fear of being be-rated for
refusing a shot or an antibiotic or worse, being reported to CPS.
I'm afraid of being kicked out of the office because my kids have not
had their High School boosters, or being forced to sign something
admitting I'm a neglectful parent.
And now I'm afraid
to go to the park.
There isn't much
to do in this tiny southern town. Both of my boys, 15 and 17, have
social impairments that make it hard to relate to others and make
friends. Spending time outside is also a chore, but I decided to
take advantage of the spring weather and take them to the park to
meet up with another homeschooling family from our church from about
7-8 each morning. Today, someone in the community called the police
on the kids for being in the park.
As my friend and I
rounded the corner and saw three police cars parked by the steps of
the enclosed basketball court where the kids were playing, we started
to run. I actually hoped in my head someone was hurt rather than “in
trouble”. Then the panic set in, I stopped and doubled over, sick
to my stomach with terror.
You see,
regardless of all the reasons a person nowadays should be worried
their children will be taken away from them, I experienced this first
hand a couple of years ago. My grandmother, who would give June
Clever a run for her money, had her 17 year old granddaughter taken
away from her over a misunderstanding due to her disability. Seeing
my 85 year old grandmother taken away in handcuffs crushed me in a
way I have no words to describe.
But she
didn't do anything wrong.
My world crumbled. Nothing made sense anymore and I no longer felt
safe. I felt like anyone could be punished for anything no matter
when or where or if it was warranted.
My grandmother's lawyer reviewed everything and was in shock because
the police had no legal standing to have done what they did.
She went through a
year of hell anyway. Attending every meeting, counseling, court date
and spending thousands of dollars on attorney fees. They even kept
her granddaughter from her after she turned 18.
There is an
illusion in this country of greatness and freedom.
My grandma never
had so much as a parking ticket in her whole life. She retired as
clerk of courts and new the judges and police in the average town
well.
If it can happen
to her, it can happen to anybody.
What I learned was
this: It's not the actual doing of wrong, it's the perception of
wrong-doing by those in charge.
We've had an
unusual amount of rain here. Lots of green grass and wildflowers. I
see one of my neighbors mowed all of their lawn except a about an 8
by 6 foot patch that is considerably longer than the rest. The city
offers citations to those who do not keep their lawn trimmed to a
certain height, so I was curious to why they did not mow such a large
overgrown section.
Bluebonnets.
Texas' state flower. Anyone you ask will tell you it is illegal to
pick/cut them. It's taught in schools and down from generation to
generation. I was intrigued and started to research.
It's not illegal.
You have to be careful what you do in state parks, gardens or private
property, but that's with anything and not limited to bluebonnets.
What is my point
with all of this?
Even with this
knowledge, I wouldn't be surprised if a police officer stopped me and
prohibited me from doing so.
It's not about the
real law, it's the perception of the law by the person enforcing the
law.
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