There is an educational literacy movement predicated upon connecting text (which can include visual media) to other text, the world, or to yourself. I've always thought it was a very effective teaching tool.
I didn't watch the Casey Anthony trial at all while it was going on, but once the verdict came in you'd have to be a lot less of consumer of media than I am to have avoided the resultant coverage and analysis. I think I've seen both the Primetime Live and Dateline NBC specials-- the rehashing is like a scab you can't stop picking at even though you know it's not a good idea.
Along with the horror that we all feel about the death of Caylee--and fact that whether or not Casey got away with murder she sure got away with something abhorrent--I find myself drawing parallels between Casey Anthony's mental health issues--narcissism? pathological lying? and the way my sister behaved when she was a young mother.
In this calculation my sister clearly comes out ahead. You see, when she resented being tied down to a child and wanted to go out and live a wild party life, she realized that lifestyle was not conducive to being a good mother. So she left her daughter behind with her family--people that dearly loved the child and were happy to care for her-- and the result was GrownupGirl a happy, well-adjusted successful child and adult.
Even when I was at my angriest at my sister for her inability to be a good parent--or a parent at all--I did recognize that she made a hard and societally unpopular choice to give up her child. Sometimes the right thing to do doesn't always look the right thing to do, but in, her case, my sister knew what the right thing to do was and did it--even though it was painful for her.
I will always be grateful that had it in her to do the right thing.
Absolutely! She had faults (from reading past posts) But she made the fairest and BEST decision for GUG!
I sure wish Casey Anthony had done the same thing.
Posted by: Busy Bee Suz | July 11, 2011 at 11:26 AM
I always wonder about this when you hear of a loving family and a murder. Why don't they just leave the child or wife or whomever to the people who love them? Why murder? I think you are right that it is narcissism in those cases - they are unable to deal with being left or looking bad or not having what "belongs" to them, etc.
You are all so lucky your sister did the right thing by her daughter.
Posted by: Brightside-Susan | July 11, 2011 at 11:51 AM
I'm probably in the minority, but I'm not convinced that Casey Anthony murdered her daughter. Given what we have seen of her as a mother, I'm inclined to think that the partying afterward was her way of trying to deal with whatever did happen to Caylee. She obviously comes from a really dysfunctional family, and I could easily see the defense's story being the correct one. There simply wasn't any proof either way. This is an interesting article: http://wsws.org/articles/2011/jul2011/anth-j08.shtml
Posted by: Renee | July 11, 2011 at 12:15 PM
When these stories came around, my heart always broke for my friend, Angie who was kind, smart, successful, happily married, and unable to have a child. Her life since adopting from China five years ago is almost perfect. Your children come from your heart, if not always your body.
God bless your sister's moment of clarity.
Posted by: Manic Mommy | July 11, 2011 at 01:21 PM
There was so much rehashing of this case on Twitter and as one person pointed out, children are murdered every day, and not all of them are white. We do, as a nation, tend to ignore the deaths of minority children.
Posted by: Suzy | July 11, 2011 at 03:39 PM
One of the gals I was very close to this year decided to give her second child up for adoption, and she was met with nothing but insults and torment from her friends (it was suggested that she was heartless for being able to live without the baby). I'm glad for you and for GuG that your sister recognized that she couldn't be a good mother and made that unpopular decision. I also pray that this gal stuck to her guns and gave the baby up, since she knew that she could barely take care of herself and her son.
P.S. Can you tell I am a fan of text to self connections? : )
Posted by: lanes | July 11, 2011 at 03:56 PM
I honestly didn't know that GUG wasn't your biological daughter. The way you speak of her, no one would ever know. I love that. : )
Kudos to your sister, but moreover, kudos to you (and your DH) for opening your hearts and home to her child.
Posted by: Michelle | July 11, 2011 at 07:36 PM
What an astonishing and heart warming revelation. Caring,nurturing and love come from intent, not strictly biology. Can you hear me giving you and MrFixIT a standing ovation? Love is a POWERFUL thing and how brave for your sister to go against the "norm" to put GUg's needs ahead of her ego. WOW is an understatement!
Posted by: Bramble | July 11, 2011 at 09:55 PM
My mom's mother recognized that she could not care for my mom but instead of keeping and resenting her she gave her up to a wonderful couple who gave my mom a great life. I'm thankful because they were the best grandparents ever. Good for your sister recognizing she wasn't able to be a good mom. Good for you and Mr. Fit It for providing a loving, nurturing home for GuG who has because a successful young woman.
Posted by: Tammy | July 11, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Yes, a blessing in disguise for GUG. Society doesn't much blink when it comes to men who let go of their children but they act as if a woman who does it is the devil incarnate. As a mom of three kids, I often wonder why there aren't more parents who give up their kids. It's hard work 24/7, 365 days per year. Surely we understand not everyone is cut out for this job.
Posted by: phd in yogurtry | July 12, 2011 at 01:38 AM
Well *that* explains why you have a child G.U.G.'s age. I thought you'd had your first baby while still in college. I'm so glad that things worked out well for your family.
Posted by: Lise | July 12, 2011 at 03:48 AM
You know, I wish my sister would make the same choice. Her selfishness in this matter KILLS me. Parenting isn't a right just because you have a baby.
Posted by: green girl in wisconsin | July 12, 2011 at 08:58 AM
Suzy - and I would also argue we as a nation ignore the children murdered by their dads. Seems we blink and move on when it's a man who murders his entire family. But let it be a mother? Holy camera in the courtroom!
Posted by: yogurt | July 15, 2011 at 12:55 AM
Having devil of a time with Internet letting me leave comments--but know I'm catching up on recent weeks even though I'm not leaving comments on every post.
Your family is a thing of beauty, and your sister is to be credited for her part in that.
Posted by: Jocelyn | July 15, 2011 at 06:15 AM