It’s been such a hard week. Those images of beautiful children in Texas, lost along with the educators fighting to save them, have brought me to my knees. I wanted to share with you some good news, though.
I posted recently on my various social media platforms about sextortion schemes, and shared an article about a teen boy who was caught in one with tragic results. I talked about ways to support the kids you care about, including monitoring their online activity and not allowing them access to the internet alone in their rooms at night, talking to them about the risks, and remembering that of course they’ll make mistakes, but to make sure they know that you are always on their side and they can come to you if they’re in trouble.
I received a message over the weekend from a man I’ve never met. We aren’t connected on social media, but he happened to see my post and read the article.
Then a few days later he got a call from his son.
The son was at Walmart, and he was sobbing. He’d sent photos to a stranger, who was threatening to post them online. He’d already bought $750 in gift cards. The man was able to support his son with calm and compassion. They managed to get back $500 of the gift cards. The man even sent the fraudster a few choice words. He’s now reported the fraudster to the online platform they’d used and to the FBI.
The man reached out to thank me for posting the article. “I was lucky and able to salvage my son’s life,” he said.
We never really know, do we, how our small actions are affecting the world. In my daily meditation, I often repeat the phrase “let me be a light today.” Let me serve. Let me help. I’m so grateful that a random post was able to help that man and his son. And I’m so grateful to all of you, who teach me, and support me, and help me keep going when I’m sunk to my knees. May we all be lights today.