It has been 24 hours since this photo was taken.
We had said all sorts of goodbyes, the kids at the bus stop, neighbors, dogs, teacher, friends . . .
Not our goodbye, we never said goodbye.
The night before, her final night in her bedroom (she slept not in her bed but under the desk) I held her and we cried, we cried and cried. It was healthy grieving. The best part is that she chose, she DID healthy grieving.
All the arguing, know-it-all behavior and constant supervision melted away. This girl healed and grew so much in our care. I didn't know we could be that family for a kid.
We did not say goodbye because her dad and girlfriend promise to let us still be part of their family. It will look very different than her living with us.
I love you sweet A!
I am weepy. The weirdest things make me cry. I am doing my best to walk right through the pain, not around it.
I am asked why we do this and all I can say other than we are crazy . . . it is crazy faith. This is exactly what we are "supposed" to be doing.