Before I went on vacation, I started reading, "Helter Skelter".  It's the story of the Manson Family murders as told through the eyes of the man who prosecuted the case.  I'm sure my mom is wondering right now why I would even read such a thing...on vacation no less!  I didn't want to read it for the gore, I truthfully saw it as a piece of history that I didn't know much about.  But the more I read, the more difficult it was to put the book down.  When Thom's mom saw what I was reading when I arrived at their cabin, she immediately took interest in it.  It seems the murders had quite an impact on her.  Thom was born just 3 days before actress Sharon Tate and 4 others were murdered in their home.  At the time, Thom's family was living not far from Los Angeles.  Thom's mom remembers hearing the story about how Charles Manson scoped out a home, but saw pictures of children hanging on the wall, so he moved on to another house. Thom's mom says ever since then, she's made a point of keeping her kids' pictures close to front windows or door...just in case.

As a rule, I try to think the best about mankind.  But when I read a book like "Helter Skelter" it reminds me of how brutal man can be to man.  Ironically, just this week, I read a story about one of the Manson Family killers.  Susan Atkins is dying of brain cancer and is asking that she be released from jail early.  The judge hasn't made a decision.  Meantime, another one of the killers, Patricia Krenwinkel just made the news because she's using her time in prison to train dogs that will be used by people with disabilities.  In the interview, she said something to the effect of, "I can't change what I've done in the past, but I can try and do something to help people while I'm in here."

I only have a few pages left to read in "Helter Skelter", and I know there can't possibly be anything remotely close to a happy ending. The accused are behind bars, and most will likely never get out.  But I have a feeling when I close the book for good, this is one story...one page of American history, I won't ever forget.