It reminded me of when I was about 9 my younger brother and I were allowed to ride our bikes from our house 3.5 miles to the corner store, crossing under the fr

It reminded me of when I was about 9 my younger brother and I were allowed to ride our bikes from our house 3.5 miles to the corner store, crossing under the freeway. We went many times during the summer. For several years. We read comic books, bought candy and soda pop and had a great time. My folks were are conservative and taught us the value of hard work. I did plenty of it growing up. It is how we had the money for the comic books and junk food. During that time period I also remember hearing of someone who was murdered and the body was dumped in a ditch on a road about a mile away as the crow flies. There were rapists nearby and children stolen only a few miles away in the next town. I am sure my mom was worried and perhaps my dad too. I remember my dad looking at my little brother once and asking him what do you do if someone tries to take you? He said, "I fight and scream as loud as I can!" He would do it too. He was a scrapper. There is a reason my dad asked him and not me. He knew the response he would get. My parents are conservative Christians. They knew they couldn't protect us everywhere, all the time. I am sure they were praying about it often as we spread our wings and gradually flew out of the nest.