MAY 10th, 2015

    I wanted to see the Lifetime movie, “Cleveland Abduction”, because my friend  Jean Zarzour was in it.  I also wanted to see it because it was filmed here in Cleveland.  I felt that I needed to read the book it was based on, called “Finding Me” written by the first victim, Michelle Knight. I wanted to read that before I saw the movie.  I am not a reader.  It takes me weeks to get through a book, but I was determined.   I was only able to get through the first 100 pages.  I felt like I was a voyeur.  I had to put the book down many times because what happened to these girls, now women, was inhumane.  I watched only a bit of the interview with Michelle Knight and Dr. Phil when they were rescued in 2013.  I felt at that point Dr. Phil was exploiting her.  I never finished the book.  Instead I went to the ending with pictures of Michelle and how she flourished and came through such an ordeal.  I returned it to the library. 

  Then came the movie.  I watched the beginning before Michelle was captured.  Once Ariel Castro kidnapped her, I had to keep switching to something funny like “Miss Congeniality”.  Even “Liar Liar”, which I have only seen 8000 times.  Anything to keep me from getting physically ill.  My friend was on very briefly in just a few scenes.  I found out later that some scenes she did were cut, but Jean was wonderful as Gina DeJesus’ mother.  I was worried that this Lifetime movie would be another story sensationalizing something so real and horrifying.    But that wasn’t the case.  They spent a great deal of time on the girls/women, after they were rescued.  They showed Michelle as she found out her son, who was in foster care before she was kidnapped, was now adopted.  She was working hard to get him back in her custody right before Ariel got her.  They showed her in court reading a letter to him.  (She actually forgave this man!)

    I am proud to know Jean after watching the movie.  I thought Taryn Manning did a beautiful job playing Michelle.  The movie was surprisingly inspiring.  Michelle has definitely shown what the meaning of “overcoming obstacles”, means.   She will go on to inspire many people.  And Jean humbly appreciated her role.  She made a lot of us cry as she sobbed in Ariel Castro’s arms.  The guy told her he was looking for her daughter. 

   I don't think I will ever be able to watch the movie in it's entirety.  But I was moved to tears and thrilled they escaped. 
  This is a good day for me to be grateful.