Dutch Teen Goes Missing!
As most of my city is shoveling out from the record 23.2 inches of snow that fell in Philadelphia yesterday, I am doing my normal routine of reading through favorited blogs and news headlines. Most of the local news has to do with the snow, and I'm kind of sick of talking about it.
I came across www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-12-20-netherlands-laura-dekker_N.htm a bit earlier. I'm just struck by how determined this girl is to make her trip around the world. Laura Dekker made headlines worldwide a few months ago as she fought the dutch government for the right to sail solo around the world.
Now, she has been missing since Friday. No one thinks she was a victim of a crime, but its more likely she ran away from home in order to make her trip a reality. There are also reports that she recently withdrew $5,000 from her bank account. While I admire her gumption to stand by her dreams and go for them at all costs, I sincerely fear for her safety.
She is also a citizen of New Zealand, and some believe she is heading there in order to make a new claim for her right to sail around the world. I think wanting to sail solo around the world is ambitious, dangerous, and admirable. I think wanting to do it at 14 may be just a bit crazy.
All I can say, is I hope she makes it through this journey safely. My heart goes out to her, I can understand big dreams. Still, I don't think a 14 year old should be making these decisions. I'm also a bit baffled by her parent's support of her desire. I find it important to support a child's dream, but 14 is still a child. Should she really be planning a solo sail around the world?
Thoughts, questions, concerns?
I'd love to know what the blog world out there thinks.
XOXOXO
--6thS