A Stolen Life...

Jaycee Dugard was only 11 years old when walking to her school bus, right before being abducted. It started out already as an odd day because her mother forgot to say goodbye before leaving for work; as she was reaching her stop, an odd van arrived behind her. It was then that Jaycee would live her life being hypnotized by a cruel, perverted man, who said with the "help" of Jaycee she would save all the other children, which he would leave alone.

This book was a tough read because of the vivid, disturbing details. Pictures that I would never imagine, ones's that no normal person should ever imagine, were forced into my mind. It was like a dream while reading her powerful story. She had such a hard life, but to her, her life with Philip Garrido was never going to be the end. Her end was going to be when she was reunited with her mother, when her two daughters were grown and married, and when she finally would be freed from the evil man who got to call himself "daddy" to G and A (her daughters).

This memoir was more captivating that any other memoir, or even non-fiction book, I have ever read because it was so recent in time. I think about all the McFarland children who walk to the school bus every morning, and I would do anything to make sure this situation never happens here. Children deserve to play at the park, learn at school, and cuddle with their parents at night-not the life of being a sex slave.

One of the best ideas Jaycee points out throughout her book is that pets are therapy. I have a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, and let me tell you, he knows when something is wrong with me. Whether I am sick, sad, or even mad, Bentley (my dog) knows how to be the best friend possible. I think this holds true with any animal. Jaycee spent her life in captivity with multiple animals in and out. Although the majority of them didn't last long residing insider her small, outdoor tent, she did have a few cats, a parakeet, hermit crabs, and two of her neighbor's dogs that were with her until the end. I, personally, believe that Jaycee would not have held up as strong as she was through her journey without all of her animals. Spending 12 hours alone in the dark is one thing...having someone, an animal, to interact with during those 12 hours is another. I believe they kept her sane.

Jaycee Dugard may have the writing skills of a middle school child; however, she adapted to being a mom at age fourteen with a dangerous, evil stranger, and I think that beats learning how to write gramatically correct any day. Her writing throughout the book wasn't half bad, but then again given the opportunity she may have become a beautiful, strong writer...that path just wasn't the one she had been provided with, but the future may hold something different.

I think if I were in Jaycee's shoes I would not want Phillip put to death, nor would I want people to force their hatred upon him. I would want him to have to pay for the terrible crimes he commited: kidnapping, rape, drug use...etc., but I would want him to have to pay for my life that was stolen right before my eyes. I would want all of his money to go towards "our" two daughters, so they could have a better life than what I ever had. Phillip Garrido did take care of Jaycee, Nancy, his mother, Pat, and the two girls, but with all of the wrong intentions. He is a confused man who has always lived a troubled life by not ever receiving the help he has pleaded for. Along with Phillip being blamed for this tragedy, I blame the parole officers, therapists, Nancy Garrido, who went along with the whole thing, even while against it, and the local community for never noticing anything strange, when all along Jaycee was right in front of their eyes.

For some reason, I believe that Phillip had finally had enough the third time he was going to be put into prison..."third strike and you're out". I think he knew that it'd be best for his daughters if they were some place else while he was in prison-not realizing he would never be allowed to see them again. Phillip's mind was warped, and I don't think he will ever be considered "normal". Prison is a good home for him and his angels (the voices he hears in his head).

Jaycee Dugard has showed me brighter than daylight that being grateful for even the smallest things can go a long way. At one point she longed just for toilet paper. Each of us go to the bathroom expecting it will be there; it's just part of our normal, daily routine. I look at things now through a magnify glass. I cherish the moments spent with my mother. I look at my future positively because I know I have one. Jaycee didn't know where her life would end up, but she always made the best of things, even if a few tears dropped here and there. This memoir was not only an eye-opening read, but the definition of reality; being taken could happen to any of us, so we might as live our lives to the fullest while we hold the opportunity to.