I understand your focus. We know the WHO (Jayme), but we really don't know the why. IMHO.
Could it have been a chubby pre-teen? A slim older teenager? Did he really see her waiting for/getting on her schoolbus? Or did he somehow see Jayme somewhere else? Were her Facebook pictures visible to the world? They were 'open' to me a couple of days ago. Both Jayme and Denise were 'global' in their settings. The Memorial page for Denise and James. Seeing their page makes me hope that whatever plain we end up in, that next dimension of our wondrous Universe, they are smiling down at their loving daughter. I think her mom & dad gave her the push. They helped her at the most opportune time. All MOO IMO.
There are just so many possibilities on how this went down, what took place, and the eventual rescue of Jayme. Facilitated entirely on Jayme making the decision to save herself. That took some serious woman-stones! Is that even a way to say she was the bad-a$$ that wanted to live? (not sure if using regular s's there would fly).
I believe so.
I realize that people are going to ponder all the nitty gritty details. However, will that bring back Denise & James? Will that enliven us knowing what this young child has endured? Come on people. IMO we need to find a way out of this constant need for all of the details. ALL of our focus should be on:
What kind of Memorial Park would be fitting here? Someplace that Jayme could feel at peace, talking to her mommy. Chatting with her daddy. And the rest of the world could feel the empathy flowing out from all of our worldly neighbors.
What do we know about Jayme's past, and current, education plans? What can be done to help her feel safe, and confident, in pursuing her dreams? Whatever we can do to let her resume her life, in this newer normalcy, would show our true compassion. I apologize for this book. I'm just too happy, and sad at the same time, to know what she will face. She is alive. To live her dreams. I wish we could leave her be. I know, I know, the world today doesn't work that way. IMO it should.
What can WE all do to break out of this "need to know it all" cycle?
I do not presume to know that answer.
What a kind and well- thought out post. I agree with you on many of your wishes and observations, hopes and fears regarding different aspects of " the discussion of the details" and Jayme's possible future..
All I can really add is that Jayme and her aunt, her guardian now, are a family unit with her other loving family members, and while we are so gutted over the murders of her parents, I likely think she was already emotionally bonded to her aunt Jennifer.
Also likely, because of those family bonds, her healing will be much different than if she'd had to be placed with a distant relative she didn't know well at all. She will be under her guardian's protection for years to come and I think they will choose to be private citizens again, not forced into any public spotlight due to the crimes committed against the Closs family.
I think most people want to see the justice system in action with the criminal charges against JP, and to know Jayme is doing OK during the process, and then the names will naturally fade from the news and the sensationalized news/ gossip sites.
It's my belief and hope that Jayme can reclaim her anonymity as far as being a survivor of abduction and other violent acts by she and her family not granting any more photos or interviews except maybe for family to issue a final message and possible victim impact statement for her in court if it is allowed, based on what all happens in the coming months with the criminal case.
I think what was released just after her return to her family, those couple of photos and a statement from a few family members, were very helpful to the emotions of most of the country who knew about her ordeal, because the 911 call contained some rather bleak descriptions mixed in with the very strongly good statements. She looked tired and a bit shy but as clean as can be, warm, and with her aunt and dog in the photo which I'm sure most of us saw and were relieved to see after her return.
Do I think we should see more photos of Jayme? ONLY if that's what Jayme truly wants herself. With the understanding of how young and shy she is, and how most survivors feel for years, I doubt it will happen as she heals and reintegrates into her town and friends.
We don't have any
right to know anything about her life once the trial is over and final justice has hopefully been served, but some will have a strong
desire to know she's fine and thriving and growing. The thing is: What is shown is shown to make people feel better most of the time. It's likely not truly indicative of what her feelings and life is like from day to day for whatever time she needs, which may be years.
The only point you and I diverge on is the perception of a possible Memorial Park created for her. To me, this would follow her for all her life, something most survivors of horrific events don't want, and keep her name in the public eye.
Even though it's a very kind and generous- spirited consideration, it's probably not going to be feasible because she's alive, thus no ' memorial' status exists for her. It's a kind idea, with good intentions, but the situation doesn't lend itself to this in her hometown, IMO.
She might want to do things in memory of her parents later on, and that will be her own memorial to them, if so.
Jayme deserves a calm and quiet private home to finish growing up in and to just be herself, whatever her goals are for her life are privately. JMO, of course, but with knowledge of how this type of recovery hurts for a long time.
I do hope to live long enough to maybe find out,
if it's ever publicly stated, that she's gone to college, and maybe later, gotten married like Elizabeth Smart, who seems so very happy with motherhood and having a family of her own now.
JMO, respectfully.
