NOT GUILTY

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."

Caylee Marie Anthony. You will not be forgotten. We will continue to fight and protect all children in your honor. I hope that you only know joy as you rest with our Father in Heaven.

Everyone is talking about it. Casey Anthony was found NOT GUILTY in the murder of her daughter Caylee Marie Anthony. The country feels defeated. We're in disbelief. We're in shock. We all feel that justice was not served. That the life of this innocent, sweet child was not valued.

I received a telephone call at 1:45pm this afternoon from a friend stating that the jury had reached a verdict and it would be announced at 2:15pm. I turned to my coworker, and shared the news. We all gathered in the conference room and shared in the moments of shock and disbelief. Why did this happen? How did they find her not guilty? Even on charges of child abuse? Are you serious? Really? The jury met for approximately 10

hours. 10 hours. That's it. For a trial that took over 30 days, with the vast amount of evidence that was submitted, with the numerous testimonies. Yes, for those of us who work in the field of child services, we felt defeated. And I have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed with the flood of emotion that came over me. Anger, sadness, hurt, disappointment. Tears filled my eyes. I didn't realize that I became "one of those" that was so invested in this case.

I think I am disappointed in our society. For those of us who continue to fight for the child's life in the womb, we often feel that feeling of disappointment. So why was this any different? Because we could actually see her face? Because she had a name? Because she was actually accepted as a child by society, and yet this country still failed to protect her, defend her, and ultimately failed in getting her the justice she deserves. Dare I say it, our judicial system is flawed, when you have some who are innocent and wrongfully accused, and those who are guilty and walking free. Can we not do better? Can we not change this? It makes me sick to my stomach, when some people settle for "that's just how it is." Especially when it comes to the life of a child. Really? Can you really stomach injustice and move on with your life? One person wrote on facebook, "get over it people, there will be something new to discuss

next week, another tsunami, tornado, or the budget. This will all be forgotten soon enough." That can't be true. It's not true for me. I am not one of those people that can see injustice and accept it and go about my business. No. It eats at me. It ignites my heart with passion and fervor. It causes me to want to push forward, to work harder, to somehow and in some way make a difference, to change something.

I have to say that I do think the state did a phenomenal job in their argument. With what they were given, the passion, the intelligence, the time and commitment. I hope that they know that it brings some peace knowing that there are some out their that will fight with everything they have for the sanctity and worth of our children. Jeff Ashton and Linda Drane Burdick, thank you for fighting for this child. Thank you for reminding the country that a child's life is worth fighting for and seeking justice.

This will not be forgotten. We continue to protect and fight for our children.

Prosecution rebuttal Assistant state attorney Linda Drane Burdick: MyFoxORLANDO.com

We're smiling but we're close to tears. . . .

"but love will hold us together. . . ."

i believe in love. And I believe that no matter how "bad" it might get, that peace is always possible. I'm not naive. I have had my share of heart break, tragedy, and loss. I know the world is suffering. I'm face to face with it daily. Yet, there is something inside, something deep within me, that just knows that this too shall pass.

i believe in what i pray for. i believe in love, and i believe in peace. and i believe that humanity is not as cruel as this world is painting it to be. i think maybe, humanity is tired. i think we've been battling one another for so long, that we're exhausted. i think one day the fighting will stop. . . the world will be at peace, we just haven't learned what mother theresa used to say, "if we have no peace, its because we have forgotten, that we belong to one another."

that's how I'm trying to live my life. trying, but failing miserably.

". . . .make us a shelter to weather the storm. . . ."

i can't help but think about my brothers and sisters in Darfur, Sudan. I don't know how it happened, really, but i carry them in my heart. sometimes i feel like i hear their cries drifting across the ocean. i feel like somehow i know their whispered prayers. i feel connected to them in a very real way. i love them. is that crazy? i really feel like it is my brother or sister over there suffering. and you know what? they want nothing more than peace.

"It is very kind of the people in your country to send us the food, but this is Africa and we are used to being hungry. What I ask is that you please take the guns away from the people who are killing us." ~Aisha, age 16, Darfur

i get it. i understand that most of the world has no idea what is going on over there. most of us are so consumed in our own suffering and trying to make it through our own trials, to really pay attention to what is going on in the rest of the world. especially in africa. but try.

i believe they will see peace one day. i really do.