This is the story of Maria, Robyn and Freddie. It is a cautionary tale of foster care, attachments and understanding trauma. Every child in the foster care system has a story. But we forget, sometimes, that the child's story if often just a piece of the puzzle. Let's start at the beginning. Freddie, age 4, … Continue reading Freddie’s Story (part 1) Becoming a Foster Child
Shoulder against the Hurricane
In the summer of my 17th year, I lived in Arzew, Africa. My dad, an overseas contractor, worked for Pullman-Kellog on a project in Algeria and my family moved to the American compound with him. I graduated high school that spring with plans to attend college back in the US in the fall. So summer … Continue reading Shoulder against the Hurricane
Essentially Yours
You are essential. You matter to someone. And to that someone, you are the most essential person in the world. Think about it. What does it mean to be essential? Essential means: Absolutely Necessary. Absolutely Necessary And when someone is absolutely necessary, shouldn't we do everything we can to keep them around? Looking around at … Continue reading Essentially Yours
The Value of One
You know the parable. The one about the lost sheep. With a little creative license, let me retell it for you. A young up and coming shepherd built a large sheep empire. Starting with a couple of sheep (a male and female to be exact) the shepherd cared tenderly for them, meeting their physical needs … Continue reading The Value of One
The Hazard Button
This past week, has been extremely stressful. I struggled under the burden of family illnesses, the declining health of beloved pets and a work week that demanded even more of me than normal. Suffice it to say, I was looking forward to this weekend! Nay! I needed this weekend! However, because I had to leave … Continue reading The Hazard Button
The Paperback has finally come out!
Sleeping My Way to the Top
Eighteen months ago, I received a wake up call while vacationing at the Gulf. Everything in my world changed in an instant. A heart attack will do that to you. SInce the quadruple by-pass surgery, I began a program of healthy life style changes.. That wake-up call ( that came more like a wake-up scream) … Continue reading Sleeping My Way to the Top
Empathy and Judgement: Bitter Enemies
What is empathy? Is it an inborn trait like personality? Or is it developed through a child's formative years. Can it be taught? Those are the questions I have been researching for the past month. Context? I wanted to find out why some social workers achieve better outcomes than others with families in crisis. In … Continue reading Empathy and Judgement: Bitter Enemies
The Last Straw
One of the toughest jobs I ever held was that of Child Sexual Abuse Investigator. For many years, I listened,, while boys and girls of differing ages opened up to me about the theft of their innocence by a trusted adult. Exposed to the underbelly of unnatural human atrocities, my world quickly darkened. The experience … Continue reading The Last Straw
The Hidden Disease
Our lives have been held captive by a hidden disease. Each day, seems to bring some terrible news into our lives. People are scared. Some people are afraid to leave their houses and walk down the street. Others avoid certain high trafficked areas. Those activities that normally bring us joy have been curtailed due to … Continue reading The Hidden Disease
