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Saturday, May 15, 2010

Not the trading card you want to be on.


When they come into this world, they come into it like most any other child. But as life moves forward there are twists and turns that don’t always turn out for the best. It really doesn’t matter where you go, you will always be able to find young girls (and boys) who have lost their direction. Not always their fault, but once they are on the wrong path, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to find the road home again.

Growing up in today’s times has never been more challenging; our world is no longer just the nearby community or even cross-town, it’s now global. The Internet has created the ability for people to communicate anywhere in the world. No matter how China tried to censor with Google, it’s impact didn’t work. I am not sure how we can ever rein it in from where we are today, but being careful is a very critical first step.

Hearing stories about young men and women who have gotten into trouble in far away towns is no longer that unusual. In fact, words like “pimp” are no longer just in reference to the inner city and life on the streets---you hear it from high school kids who think it’s a very funny description of someone they know. It’s only funny to a point, and when that point becomes real life, it loses all of its humor.

This week in Las Vegas I saw first hand how difficult life can be for runaways, drug addicts, and people who thought life would be so much better once they were able to get out from underneath their parents rule. I am sure as they look back, they realize how much better they might have had it. Sure there are going to be situations where being away from malicious and dangerous family members is much better for them, but I assume this is not always the case for everyone of these kids. It is just sad either way.

As you walk along the streets in Las Vegas you are constantly provided the opportunity to meet women---men and women hand out cards to anyone who will take them. The photos invite you to make a call and meet up with your “dream date.” I am reasonably sure the women on these cards are never the ones who show up at your door---but how sad this is the role they now have to live out.

The photo above is one I found to be very moving; as I stood on the sidewalk I watched people pass by dropped cards. Like a piece of trash strewn on the ground, these advertisements had little or no value to those who really didn’t care. In the end, it’s always important to remember, these women (or in many cases girls) happen to be someone’s daughter.

Thanks for stopping by.

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