Reaching Out...

She was healing after her shoulder surgery and her surgeon said everything looked good.  She was healing, our daughter was preparing for her last semester in college. She would soon be starting an internship. The boys were good. Our oldest son was working and gearing up for his second semester of his freshman year in college and our youngest son was busy with indoor track. We went to meets, we'd see her mom. She was still coaching. I couldn't look at her. I remember she smiled at me once while I was volunteering at the meet. I almost fell over. Do not smile at me. What is wrong with this woman? We continued living our lives. My husband and I asked ourselves so many times how can people just abandon a child? I understand families go through tough times, I get that. And, I know that sometimes parents need a break from their teenager. But, you do not just throw your child overboard. See ya later or see ya never... We also thought that surely once the extended family knew about what's happened they'd lend support and help this child. I know my grandparents helped a couple of my cousins over the years. If my niece called me and told me what this child told her family, I'd be on the first flight out of town and knocking on the door. Family simply does not let family go. That's how I was raised, that's how my husband was raised. That brings me to the phone calls...

We were eager for her to call her family as we were certain they'd be there for her. She needed support and love from her people. She talked to her aunt. We all said hi and how are you? She told her what happened. She was very nice. I remember thinking, "great!" She called her uncle and told him what happened. She told him about her older brother and about her mom and all the abuse that took place. She told him we took her in. He said he'd be in touch. She never heard from him again. She was most eager to speak with her grandfather. She trusted he'd have her back. I had no reason  to question that. She called him. She spoke to him with a shaky voice as she told him exactly what she's told everyone else. Her older brother hurt her, her mother abused her and she was desperately worried about her younger brother. I could hear him on the phone saying, "ok, ok..uh ha, I need to talk to your grandmother. I'll call you back." Crickets... He never called back.  

Days went by and we could see her spirit was waning. I took it upon myself to reach out. I messaged her aunt on fb. She responded saying she was glad we had her. I said she loves you very much and needs here family. I also reached out to the grandfather. I begged him to return her call. I told him she was waiting to hear from him and she loves him very much. I never heard from him. At least not for a long time. And, when I did hear from him, it wasn't about helping his granddaughter.  Quite the contrary. 

The lawyers who represented  her appealed to her father asking him to reach out to his daughter. He didn't. We were busy looking up counselors. It is so difficult finding therapists for adolescents. They are all booked months out. With the help of the her lawyers we did get in with one of the local universities phd program, students basically practicing.  It wasn't perfect but it was a start. We were happy and hopeful that this would be a good start. Looking at one of my journal entries around this time, I made note of the verse, Psalm 70:1 "Save Me O God Lord, Help Me Now" That was my prayer. We needed help. 

Love Always Protects, 
Always Trusts
Always Hopes
Always Perseveres
Love Never Fails! 
Love Always Wins! 

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