Annie and Marquel went to Camp Chrysalis on Sunday. In the car the girls were talking about swimming at camp and that they would have to take a swim test if they wanted to go in the deep water.
When the kids talk among themselves and get excited the New Orleans accent takes over. We have to laugh to ourselves as we listen to them. As the girls talked about swimming at camp, Marquel said, "I told that lifeguard guy my mom told me not to be going in the deep water." She was giggling as she continued, "That night I payed 'Dear Lord, I'm sorry, I had to do it'."
I had to turn my head so she wouldn't see me laughing. We love to hear Marquel giggle and the little insight into her thoughts was enlightening.
A few months ago we were forced to find a new counselor for Marquel. As she becomes a teenager, we feel we are in a race against time to help her work through the multitude of issues she faces. Her new counselor suggested that because Marquel doesn't like long conversations, we use "bullet points" to get ideas across and to listen closely for little tidbits of information that will tell us how she is feeling or what she is thinking. This was a "tidbit".
Marquel's new counselor has been awesome and since she does not take Medicaid, we appreciate the continued financial support we receive from so many of you. We feel this precious girl needs every opportunity she can get to have a happy and productive life.
We continue to learn and realize how much we have yet to learn about how to help these kids through their layers of abuse, neglect and trauma. At times it is very frustrating and we wonder if we are doing the right things. Then we are rewarded with a hug from Annie or a genuine giggle from Marquel. We sometimes wonder "why us" and then we say "thank you for these precious kids".
Thank you to all for your continued support.
Until next time . . .
Stephanie
