Wednesday, April 02, 2008

She Stared

I know, it’s Wordless Wednesday and there are words on my blog. The problem is that I am a writer and I’m emotional. All of which means I have many words to use right now. That’s right baby, I got words, and I’m not afraid to use them. Not to mention, it will spare Beloved from a verbal assault the minute he walks in the door tonight.

At 9:17 this morning the case worker appeared and whisked the wee girls away. Z-Monster had been up since 6:30. She woke up screaming, something she hasn’t done in months. I know it was because of what today represented, but it didn’t make it easier.

Last night, after ice cream sundaes, surrounded by four loving, but helpless adults and one teenager, Z-Monster told me that she’s going to miss me. Though her teary voice barely whispered it, I heard her confess, “I wish I could live with you forever.”

Ouch

For my part, I was able to keep pretty fast control on the water works. I saw no sense in both of us weeping over something we cannot stop. I just held her tiny little blonde person and told her how much I loved her.

Knowing what they are going back to is what grieves me so much. I’m not heartless, but I will not miss the mess, the noise, the fighting. I won’t miss the back talk, the middle of the night coughing fits, or the early morning wake up call. I will not pine for moments when I will yell at the top of my voice for whoever is doing whatever to stop doing it. Nor will I yearn for just one more potty accident. If this makes me cold hearted, well then, so be it.

It’s the knowledge of their situation that strikes bitter fear within my heart. Children are gifts. Gifts I say! They are a treasure straight from Heaven above and they are to be cherished. Children should be trained in what is right and good and carefully disciplined in what’s bad. Little ones need to know that mom and dad are there to protect them, no matter what. That home is a place where there is food, warmth, and love. Children have the right to grow up secure in the knowledge that no matter what else happens; their parent will always put their best interest first.

Filth, chaos, violence, neglect; that’s what these beautiful, blue-eyed babies have to look forward to. What a waste. What a terrible, terrible waste.

So, why are they going home you ask? Simply put, the DA doesn’t have enough evidence to remove them permanently. This is the second time these children have been removed and ours was their second foster home. The very first time, they landed at Auntie Teri’s house. They spent an entire summer tormenting Auntie and were returned to Bio-Mom in September. Then, in January of last year The Destroyer broke her arm, at 17 months, and was back, minus beastly brother, at Auntie Teri’s. The rest is pretty much history; Teri’s mom’s cancer and our applying to be foster parents happened in the blink of an eye.

I didn’t know. I simply didn’t know how much sorrow and rage could lurk behind blue eyes. How could I? So for eleven months I learned. I studied attachment issues; I waded through lies and learned that being a foster parent is not a job for the weak or weary. It was revealed that I’m not nearly the excellent parent I thought I was; I’m short tempered, crabby, and I yell (who knew?). Yet as the months passed something happened…those little tyrants wiggled and squirmed their way into my heart.

Drat

“I love you. Be good for your mom. Don’t fight with your brother, yeah, I know it’s hard. But I love you. If mom says its okay, you can call me, anytime. Remember, Jesus loves you best of all and He’ll always be there for you.”

And then the car backed down the hill and I waved…

The destroyer waved and smiled. She’s two and a half, in about two days she’s going to wonder where her mama is and I’ll be wondering if she’s eating, if she’s safe, is she getting her medicine. I can only pray and wonder.

Z-Monster sat in her car seat, not smiling, not waving. She just stared at me with sad blue eyes. No tears, no expression whatsoever. She just stared.

As long as I live I will never, ever forget that look

9 comments:

Mike T said...

Mrs. Annie, you and your terrific family did God's work in showing such love and devotion to those two little girls. I pray that they will remember your example and have that in that back of their young minds as they go back to their "mother". Just reading about their trials and travails makes me so very sad. God bless you and yours for doing such a hard task for such little reward!

Family Adventure said...

You did all you could do. You gave those girls a good home for many months. You gave them confidence, love and security. Those are precious gifts that they will rely on in the time to come.

I hope that bio mom will have changed her ways. That things will be better than what they have been. IF not, then I assume the health services will be keeping a close eye on her. I mean, this is her third chance, as it were.

I am terribly, terribly sorry for you all, Mrs. Annie. I wish these little girls could have had a better start, and that you wouldn't have to worry about what they are going home to.

Heidi

The Sweet Family said...

I am so glad you posted this. I was thinking about you as I woke this morning knowing it was the day.

You are a great mom and you should never sell yourself short! You took in foster children knowing they were temporary new figures in your life. You loved them and raised them as if they were your own. Thats a GREAT mom!!!!!!!!

I pray Bio-Mom will somehow see the light.

Take care and prayers are being sent your way and theirs!

Hugs,
The Sweet Family

Anonymous said...

I love you.....Ann....call me if you want to talk or cry.

Love, wen

Anonymous said...

Ugh... You know I love you, and I am here for you. I miss them already.

Kiva said...

My heart goes out to you. May God's grace and love be with you and your family as well as the "wee ones" as they go back to their bio-mom.

Marthavmuffin said...

So sad...I will pray for you all.

Keri Mikulski said...

Wow.. My prayers are with those two little girls. And kudos to you, Mrs. Annie. You are amazing.

Ice Cream said...

Life just isn't fair!!!!!!!!!!