I know what I wanna say!!

There she is:

I found Elisabeth Smart^! Above are all the photos he -the bookstore employee took, dumped from my phone.

Story

I was really captivated by this case and story which occurred many many years ago. In fact maybe is was

around 22 years ago when she went missing.

We couldn't come from more different backgrounds! I know. She's rich, I'm poor. She's black, no wait I'm black she's white. She's a Utah Mormon, I'm Texan (technically) was raised Catholic but like general evangelical Christian teachings the best.

Still, this kidnapping case intrigued me. When it happened and I was a teenager, I was like how can someone take you from your bedroom? And it showed her neighborhood on the television. Very beautiful and ritzy. Still those kidnappers went to get her and she was officially kidnapped and missing for like 9 months.

It was everywhere, I'd walk by any television set and see the news flashes: "Elisabeth Smart still missing", "Elisabeth Smart disappeared", "We are looking for Elisabeth Smart."

It was insane. I've seen people write very valid points about how other people have been kidnapped and fought back and escaped. It went like: (______) was tied up but she found a weapon and got loose. (_____) was abducted but she ran after 3 days... It has gone on and on. Also, back then there was this thing with suburban white girls going missing and something they would do is put a face on a milk carton to help authorities find missing girls. There has been the argument that other races have been kidnapped but only white girls got broadcasted, and was urged to be looked for.

More than 2 decades later it's different with Amber Alerts on your phone and advances in technology. Ya'll (young people) are so lucky that it's easy to contact people and tell your life with social media, but we did not have that back then.

Anyway, I remember seeing the movie and was like: You've got to be kidding! Even though she was forced against her will to go out in disguises, she was allowed outside and there was so many instances in the film that she had the opportunity to run away. I never understood why she didn't run when all those people were around in the Made for TV version of her story of her kidnapping. I thought someone could have recognized her and helped her get away.

After meeting her at a book store and listening to other details, I got a clearer picture. The kidnappers did tell her to stay and not escape in the film. She said at the event that, "I come from a good family."

Well, I guess if she came from a regular or not so good family she'd have been more *on edge* about her surroundings.

There was a fellow person at the store that was in awe and upset with her life during and immediately after the kidnapping. I am glad I was not alone in the concern.

Her book I bought is called Where there is hope.

However, after listening to her, I can not her but wonder: What hope is there for anybody else?

I mean maybe her local authorities did not like how she was on television so much? I have been on tv several times but not in the last 10 years, but I know it intimidated people. Her kidnapping was broadcasted and detailed piece by piece those many years ago. People would claim they saw her here and there. It was nearly everyday you'd see the pictures of a neat blond female child that has to be found.

It took 8 years for her case to come to trial. She said she's asked a lot and some did not believe some of her torture because she did not become pregnant, but she was younger and non menstruating at the point.

I met her a few years ago and was so happy and proud about how she's well adjusted and alive. But again, still furious that it took so long for her justice that now even one of her kidnappers is now free from prison!!

Nowadays, when someone is missing, it usually is not a big deal... Unless someone has a vendetta against you! I repeat, it is only those close you that would care... UNLESS SOMEONE HAS A VENDETTA AGAINST YOU.

It has always been a beyond shocking and devastating crime and case to me!

I said nothing to her but I might have waved. The man that took the picture wanted me to get her closer and closer for the pic. I inched like two or three steps nearer and she said:

"It's okay, I'm wearing deodorant."