Do that which is hard -

http://www.kvue.com/media/cinematic/video/23646863/wife-of-central-texas-man-kidnapped-by-drug-cartel-tells-their-story/

A recent interview on a local news show was a big deal to us even if it isn't to anyone else. I don't like to have my picture taken and I'm much more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it. Yet, this had to be done. We stopped talking about the event years ago with the exception of a random mention when either Bobby or Samantha have come up for parole review or if someone asked about how the book was coming along. Not drawing attention to ourselves has become our normal operating procedure.

Once the book was done and out there, I began to think about the inquiries by the media when this all happened back in 2008 and KVUE was the one news station that seemed to actually care about what had happened to Paul not just the sensational bits. So, I picked KVUE as the news station that I would reach out to and, if they were still interested in a story, I would share it with them. We were so pleased and encouraged by their continued sensitivity and coverage. Quita Culpepper and the people at KVUE 24 are what a professional news team should be.

The interview may be good for marketing, but, the big deal, to me, is that we stepped out of the shadows and into the light. We've done that which is hard to continue to take back our lives and know we can keep going.

"Walking Between The Raindrops" on sale in print and Kindle editions at www.amazon.com.

First Impressions

I first met Detective James Maugham on a balmy day in late February some 8 years ago. It wasn't my best moment for making a first impression. I'd been crying - a lot. Our apartment was a mess. My usual polite demeanor was gone; replaced with terror and impatience. Yet, the man who sat across from me in our tiny dining room remained calm and in charge. At the time, I remember thinking he wasn't listening to me that, in fact, he was dismissing me. Looking back with the luxury of hindsight and having recently had access to thousands of pages of reports, I know now that he was not only calm and in charge, but he was listening and, more importantly, he was helping me to focus on the mystery of Paul's disappearance. I only saw him that one day and our paths didn't cross again until we began attending events at the courthouse that related to the case. In "Walking Between The Raindrops," readers will get to know Detective Maugham; a man that I believe is a true hero.

I've never had the right words to express the depth of my gratitude to him. So many people worked together to bring Paul home, but Detective Maugham was the lead person. He ran the show. For a long time, I didn't understand the depth of his dedication to his work. Now that I've gotten to know him a little better, I am proud for the people of Williamson County to have such a man stand for justice on their behalf. Detective James Maugham isn't merely bigger than life. For many of the people he serves, he IS life.

Who ya gonna call?

Its no news that I've never been a fan of President Obama, but I respect him and the enormous difficulties he's faced and in a recent interview he was asked why is the US always going into these places to fix things? He said, "When these countries get into trouble, they don't call Russia for help. They don't call Beijing. They call us." I don't think I've heard it put better.

People come to this country for many reasons. Even as frightening as having persons with Ebola enter our country, you know they come here because they want the best chance of survival. They aren't going to Canada or Mexico or Europe. When refugees stream across our borders, many times at great personal risks, they are coming for justice and a better life. They don't sneak into Brazil or Venezuela.

And, while there is no perfect place, no perfect people, American people depend on and respect their law enforcement officers more than any other country I know of. Bad situations are still so rare that they make headlines. We are so used them doing the right things that the media ignores the story of the police officer in Michigan who, pulling a woman over for not having her child in a car seat, decided to buy the woman a car seat and install it rather than give her a ticket. The everyday good things are taken for granted.

When Paul was taken from our driveway in Austin, Texas, we didn't turn to a celebrity or a politician. We turned to the Williamson County Sheriff's Department and they brought together a "dream team" of local, state and federal officers within minutes and hours, working non-stop to bring Paul home alive and safe.

This picture, taken later in the day of Paul's rescue, sums up our family's reaction to the events preceding. Our youngest grandson (at the time) literally flew into Paul's arms, hugging him for all he's worth. It was beautiful and it was heart breaking because we all knew how close we'd come to never being able to do that again. I think of this and am so thankful and grateful to God for how this turned out and then I pray for the loved ones and families of all the others being held captive by evil people.

The headlines from around the world would make us believe that evil is, indeed, in charge. Hate, brutality and viciousness dominate the world and local news, even our "entertainment." But I don't buy it. I choose to remember all the good that is done from individual to individual, groups to communities, nations to nations. Let's celebrate the good not the bad. And, should my family need emergency help again, I'm not going to call Russia or Beijing or even President Obama. I'm gonna call the three men above - Detective James Maugham, Captain Pete Hughey and Texas Ranger Captain Matt Lindemann.