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June 30, 2005 For many people, the mystery of Natalee Holloway whereabouts has befuddled and even angered them. They have had trouble understanding why this story made national news in the first place. To see this event continue to unfold day after day after day has brought criticism to the media in general and to Fox News in particular for making it a national obsession. I can understand the cynics who decry such journalistic "pap" for what they consider to be a transparent attempt to build ratings for their networks. But, they would be wrong. Despite the President's speech on Tuesday night concerning Iraq and other newsworthy events such as the downing of our military helicopter and Supreme Court rulings; the Natalee Holloway situation continues to roll along on or near the front page. There are those who say, "ENOUGH!" I am not one of them. For those of you who are sick of this story let me tell you four lovely words... Beth Holloway Twitty. Mom. The disappearance of an 18 year old girl is not a new concept. The possibility of her being found lifeless is not unique, either. Each day, as the naysayers of this media frenzy point out, there are dozens of missing children all over this country. Why is Natalee Holloway so special? Is it because she is white, upper middle class, pretty...maybe in the beginning, that was part of the appeal to the news editors. But, after 32 days there is a far deeper reason why Natalee is coming into your living room every night. Why is this one girl appearing and re-appearing over and over again? Four words. Beth Holloway Twitty. Mom. Have you ever seen a parent with such DETERMINATION? Have you ever watched a human being with a face set like a flint marching relentlessly towards a goal of finding her child? Her sheer will alone is driving this story now. She will NOT let it go away. She will NOT let the authorities in Aruba dilute it down to nothing. She will NOT stop pounding the Van der Sloot family until she gets a consistent explanation for the last person to see her daughter alive. She will NOT let Greta or Geraldo or Hannity or O'Reilly sleep until the questions are answered. Joran Van der Sloot has changed his story EIGHT times. I have news for him. There is a mother out there who is not going to let him get away with that. If you think Dutch people are stoic and stubborn, and they are, I have four words for them... Beth Holloway Twitty. Mom. Every morning, rising from the same bed her daughter slept in at the Holiday Inn, this mom begins her day with a broken yet powerful and undying, heart. Every day, she somehow musters up the courage and the energy to look into the mirror and vow once again to do whatever is humanly possible to bring her daughter home. Every day, walking the streets, talking to anyone who will listen, to anyone who will wear one of Natalee's wrist bands, to anyone who might have seen or heard ANYTHING, this mom is the island's reminder that the entire world is watching and will CONTINUE TO WATCH until that young girl is found. For a paradise that loves its gambling, here is a sure bet...Natalee's mom will not let go of this until a body is found, alive or not. This is the real story now. For whatever got Natalee to Aruba and whatever got her into that car, it all pales in comparison to what it is going to take to make Momma stop looking. Here is a clear message to the Netherlands, the people of Aruba, the United States Congress, the three boys who took Natalee that night, Paulus Van der Sloot, the Texas Rescue team, the media, the people of the United States and to the world for that matter...there is a mom out there who has her teeth in you to bring this mystery to a resolution. She is not a hero, she is a saint. And, she is fighting to keep this story alive so she can have a fighting chance at getting her baby back. For the truth is, if she ever she gives up.... this story is likely to die. With that final disappearance, a daughter is unlikely to be ever found again. It takes more than media attention, forensic leads, witnesses and interrogation to keep this particular case alive. It takes a mother's love. You can call it corny or maudlin or a pain in the butt, if you want. But, there is a spirit here, a burning, gripping passion that really doesn't care what you, me, or anyone else thinks. All she cares about is finding her daughter and bringing her home. That is the story now. That will be the story until it ends. It will not end, until this remarkable woman says so. Beth Holloway Twitty. Mom. ------------ About the author: Pat Hurley has spoken to over six million high school and middle school students in 47 states. He has had six books published for young people and their leaders and has produced 45 educational videos in schools on topics such as self-respect for teenagers, making good choices, peer pressure, academic excellence and realizing potential. Email: coolhumor@sbcglobal.net Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com. Please link to this article rather than copying and pasting it onto your site (which would be unauthorized and illegal). |
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