I met her after dropping the baby off for a visit with his parents. She was visibly shaken and joined a conversation I was having with another foster mom. She was very dissatisfied with the care her child was receiving in her foster home. She said, "I didn't hurt my kids, do drugs, or drink. The only reason I don't have my kids is because I had to have surgery on my feet and I had no one to take care of them. Their dad couldn't do it..."
She shifted back and forth on her bandaged feet, restlessly looking for an answer. She needed to catch her bus back to the shelter, but she knew her blood pressure was up and was worried about her diabetes. I think she was reluctant to leave the hospital property. She got the letter today that she will get an EBT card, but she doesn't have the card and the shelter only allows so much food. She thought she would find a food closet tomorrow.
Because Annie is "in the system now," she has to wait to have her children returned to her care. She had an appointment with the court, but her lawyer didn't show up. The rescheduled and the lawyer who came was unfamiliar with her case. It was postponed again until next week.
One thing I admire about some of the "godly" people I know, is that they taught me: do the thing that is in front of you. Jesus said, "Whatever you do for the least of these..." Annie mentioned that she was able to get to a food bank in the morning so I picked up some groceries to get her though the night. The most important thing, though, was that I shared with her about Safe Families. If she could have had access to this organization, she would be with her kids today. She would probably have had transportation to a food bank or even a few bags of groceries until her services kicked in...I am praying tonight that she is able to talk to someone there. She will, undoubtedly, need help in the future. She has NO support and serious medical issues. If you think of Annie, would you join me in praying for her?
Thank you.
