Remarkably RED
I know I promised Ekka pics – they are coming. But first, ignoring the massive mountain of Ekka-related laundry and unpacking accumulated over the past four days, I need to share with you the reason I am wearing a red jacket today. And why Violet is wearing a red dress. And Dash is wearing a red T-shirt.
If you are an Aussie, you will surely know the story of Daniel Morcombe. For my overseas visitors, Daniel was a Sunshine Coast teenager with his life ahead of him. Eight years ago, he left his family’s home to catch a bus to buy Christmas presents. He never returned.
I recall all-too-clearly that day in 2003. I had worked in the news office that first reported his disappearance – some of my workmates were neighbours of the Morcombes. I know my ex-workmates felt the story to their core – and as a mother, as an ex-Coast girl who had driven past the bus stop where Daniel was picked up by a stranger, it all felt VERY close to home.
For so many Queenslanders, so many Australians, Daniel’s disappearance sparked an awareness that evil does exist in our society. It doesn’t just happen ‘somewhere else’. And that we (as parents) must be ever-vigilant against it.
The family going through the hell that no parent can (or should be able to) imagine have proven most amazing people. And make no mistake, the Morcombes are truly remarkable. Remarkable, not because they have fought so hard to find the truth about their missing son – surely something we would all have done in the same situation. Remarkable not because they have never given up hope that he is somehow, by some miracle, still alive – for this is a mindset each and every one of us would surely cling to in the quest for some kind of ‘happy ending’. No, they are remarkable because they have used the media in the way which it SHOULD be used, to keep alive the search for their son, to create a foundation to help the search AND all Australian children to be safe, and they have remained calm and clear and steadfast in their pursuit of ‘their Danny’ without resorting to wild calls for revenge.
Every single time I think of what may have happened to that gorgeous 13-year-old blue-eyed boy, I look at my kids and feel an awful, unreasoning rage building inside me. If someone EVER hurt my kids… I know for sure I could not be as remarkable as these two. And while I do not pretend to know them or their internal thoughts, I do hold them both up as examples of how to conduct yourself in the face of the worst kind of situation.
Yesterday a man was arrested for Daniel’s murder. And the response from Denise and Bruce Morcombe is the first thing you will see in this link to their dedicated site. Read it. You will see what I mean.
My children know a little of his story- they certainly know so much more about stranger danger because of the awareness raised by the foundation named in his honour. They also know that Daniel was wearing red the day he disappeared. And those supporting the Morcombes have called for us to wear red today as a show of unity. I think it’s the very least we can do.
Daniel was born into a society where evil exists and it must be stopped. (Denise Morcombe)
7 Comments
jeanie
I didn’t wear a red shirt, but made sure that my scarf had plenty of red.
When I heard the news on Saturday, I was relieved but also so sad – we all hope that nothing like that happens EVER.
However, I was disgusted with one news crew who, on their late news, was reporting “perhaps I am standing in the exact spot where Daniel met his end” – absolutely sickened by the way some sections of the media want to get ALL the ghoul into it that they can.
I do hope that the guilty party is found such, and that there is no miscarriages of justice because of the coverage.
I could never be on the jury as I have read the background of the accused and know the connections the police must have made – and hope to goodness they have evidence enough to get a finding, and aren’t relying too much on what cannot be offered to the court.
Jen
I saw Daniel’s parents on tv yesterday and I thought his dad did a remarkable job of holding it together and being very articulate about the foundation, and kids keeping safe etc.
Then last night I had a dream that I should wear red today and I’m wearing a red skirt. I couldn’t remember why I might have had that dream until I read your post.
Mikey
I can think of nothing worse than not knowing what happened to your child. My sympathies with his family and your whole country.
Bush Babe
I actually think the coverage so far has been really restrained – considering. I think that (aside from tasteless remarks) everyone is working as one to get a conviction happening. Let’s hope justice is done and this family gets some much-deserved peace to mourn their son.
Colin (HB)
It was truely a sad event and hopefully the police will find young Daniel’s grave.
That will be of a great comfort to his amazing parents. Daniel can be buried with dignity. Tragic. Your words above BB were so moving. Justice will be done.
I had no idea of the red shirt day, but by a strange coincidence I wore a red shirt today. Maybe God works in strange ways? Who knows?
I do hope the press will just leave the Morcombe family privacy and peace.
Colin
Kelly
Things like this just break my heart. I hope the arrest brings his family some closure. I just can’t imagine! (and it so happens I do have a red shirt on right now).
Off to read the link at their site now….
debby
I don’t have a red shirt on, but my mind is so on that boy and his family right now. His father was the epitome of grace in the face of the press. The eyes on his mother cut clear to my heart. I wanted to reach out and grab her up in a great big hug. What courage!