This will be short. I hope to write more soon.
I recently started volunteering at the Youth Shelter for abused and neglected children. Now, if you need a heart-wrenching experience, this is what you need. Be forewarned, it's difficult. Now, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change a thing about it. But it's sad. It's so very sad.
Today was my second day there, and the second one I left in tears. I must do something. So, I'm working on the empty bedroom and will try to get it fixed up and ready to go. I'm calling the Foster Placement office tomorrow. I've got to start the parenting classes and see what lies ahead.
Cutest, most adorable, precious children. I don't know HOW people hurt children. I haven't ever been this close to child abuse and neglect. There were some of the same kids at the shelter today as there were on Thursday. A great little four year old girl that wouldn't leave my lap on Thursday was still there, with her little brother. I walked in her room after nap and she was sitting on the edge of the bed. She saw me and jumped up and ran to give me a hug, "Miss Emily, I missed you so much." We had a good time, played, colored, read books, watched television, etc. I was needing to leave, and I told her I needed to grab my purse to go. She grabbed ahold of me by my sweater sleeves, started sobbing "Please don't go, please don't go." I told her I had to leave, but that I would be back, and if she was there I'd read to her again and we would have a good time. I got my purse and leaned down to give them hugs...and she cried some more "Just take me with you, ppppllllllleeeeeeeeeassssseeeeee", then her brother cried some more and they struggled to let me leave. Now, these were just the two of the kids....there were others, and before I knew it about 5 were crying when I left. No other way to break my heart, no other way.
Now, I'm laying down in my bed tonight to sleep, curled up with my dog that I love and the cat that I love too. Knowing full and well, the life of those children will never be the same and they have profoundly been changed by the bad things, and I pray that a good three hours every few days with a good person like me, will make a little difference. God, Dear God, I pray for the hearts of those kids sleeping tonight with 20 other children on little toddler beds in a cold house in Tulsa. Bless their souls now and forever.
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