We were young, fierce, strong, and talented. We could arabesque, cartwheel mount from balance beams, and elbow stand or walk on our hands across an entire room.

I came across this photo of the other day our The Smith Tumbling Team. Mrs. Smith, our devoted instructor/mom/disciplinarian instilled excellence in our young minds. She was not above using her stick to correct our posture or our behinds when we were out of line. However, the discipline always came from a place of love and it paid off in our hard work and numerous awards we received in traveling competitions. The stick was the only thing we feared and it was more the shame of Ms. Smith admonishing our behavior with it, than the pain inflicted by it’s use.

As I studied this photo, I thought of the brave young, strong, fierce, talented gymnast who took their strength to another level and had to stand up against sexual predator, Larry Nassar. He is also a former osteopathic physician and former professor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

I then thought of the brave, young, strong, fierce talented singers and artist who were dehumanized by R Kelly. Recently, the multi award winning performer was convicted in a sex-trafficking trial, found guilty of nine counts, including racketeering. Two people from his entourage also are facing charges in a separate federal case, accused of helping him meet girls. Kelly also is facing more sex charges in Illinois and Minnesota, with trial dates not set yet.

I was saddened by the New York Post report yesterday that London is stopping their investigation on Prince Andrew and the Jeffrey Epstein abuse allegations.

London’s Metropolitan police have dropped their part of an investigation into the sexual abuse claims that the Duke of York sexually abused a 17 year old on three separate occasions.

The statistics are frightening 1 out of 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a victim of sexual abuse.

Former Penn State Defensive End coordinator, Jerry Sandusky was found guilty and convicted of 45 out of 48 counts, accused of sexually abusing 10 boys over a 15 year period.

I had a high school friend, who was repeatedly molested by a priest and committed suicide. The priest was an extended member of his family and his parents trusted him.

A doctor, an artist, a coach, a prince or a priest- A predator.

We joke that the Higher Power visits prison daily, because they all find Him when they go to jail.

Predators prey…they don’t pray til they are caught.

Protect our children. Look at this photo…1 out of 5