The Beginning of Redemption

Elizabeth Smart was abducted when I was in junior high, and because it happened here in Utah, we all followed the case pretty closely. Yesterday she stood in a competency hearing and testified about the horrific things that happened to her--things a grown woman shouldn't have to go through, let alone a young girl in the throes of adolescence.
However, every time I hear about Elizabeth Smart, I have to giggle because the day she was found, I was in play rehearsal after school. The director got a phone call and hushed us all. We all stood on stage goofing off until she hung up the phone and made an announcement. I didn't hear exactly what she said--it was muffled because I was in the back of the stage, but everyone started murmuring and cheering.
I asked the girl next to me, "What did she say?"
"They found Osama bin Laden!" she cried out.
My mouth dropped. "Where?"
"At the South Town Mall!" she said, and we both shared a horrified look at the thought of the renowned terrorist being less than an hour from our house.
Later, of course, we were both corrected, but every time I hear about Elizabeth Smart, I am always impressed by her strength, her spirit, and I laugh at this memory.