Clare wrote:
Lydia, I have not at any time said I hate the McCann's. Never.

I am not in a position to go and try and find Maddie. What I can say with absolute certainty however is that had she been in my care she would not have been left alone with her younger siblings in order to allow me to go out to dinner with friends, not for twenty minute periods, not for TWO minute periods. Had I done such a thing and seen the same thing happen to a child in my care I can assure you that the very LAST thing I would be telling myself afterwards was that I was NOT to blame.

Their are times when I think it seems that way.

I did not actually mean that particular remark personally to you.

I have though often read so much which is clearly total dislike of this couple. So very few people think about the fact that they themselves are not perfect.

When my son's were small I was thought hard as a mother, when I would state things like "who knows how my children will grow up" "if they will do wrong things".
I was proven right my sons are and were beautiful people but they were not perfect. That does not mean that I love them any less that I would not give my life for any child of mine it just makes them normal.
If they did anything wrong I would love them anyway despite their faults and I am sure they felt the same. I am reminded of a reflection I took a copy of which I will copy to you

Compassion and healing

Compassion is not learned without suffering.
Unless we have suffered and wept,
we really don’t understand what compassion is,
nor can we comfort someone who is suffering.
Unless we have walked in darkness,
we can’t help wanderers to find their way.
But if we have suffered we become pathfinders for others.
And it is by reaching out to others
that we ourselves are healed.
Jesus bore the marks of our violent world on his body.
These wounds were proof of his love.
They were the mortal wounds of the Good Shepherd
picked up in caring for his sheep.
The wounds of Jesus are a source of consolation,
courage, and hope to us in our sufferings.
By his wounds we are healed.
Flor McCarthy, SDB, New Sunday & Holy Day Liturgies.(YrA)


So many members of the public spend so much effort writing so many nasty comments about the McCanns I think, I wonder if those same people have ever spent that same amount of time e-mailing even one poster or starting one text message to help that little girl.

These methods are the only way she will ever be found if she is still alive.