Visitation

Once a month for two hours, on the last Friday of the month from 1:00-3:00, sixteen of the kids get to see their parents.  It is a tension-filled day for the kids and the staff.  Today was no exception.

The kids shower and put on their best clothes for mom.  Many of them make cards or gifts to take to mom.  Lunch is served and visitation begins.

When Karen and Nicole were leaving Casitas Kennedy at the end of visitation in September, Karen was told we could no longer have visitation there.  Karen and I discussed our options and decided the church building was the best place to have visitation beginning in October.  We no longer have to leave at noon in two cars and go two separate directions for visitation.  For that I am thankful.  We drafted a listed of rules and made the parents sign them.

Today at 10:30, Nohemy and Josue's mom showed up at the back gate asking when visitation was.  Nicole told her it was today at 1:00 and that she had to come to the front gate.  Her kids have not seen her since visitation in June.  Six months, without a word.  And really not many words today.

I walked with Nohemy and Josue to the church building.  They went running to her.  She did not hug them.  She sat near them and did not smile and said very little to them.  They finally got bored and got up played with each other.  The mom had a new baby that is not very well and she gave him all her attention.  I was not very happy, but tried to not let that show.  She could have at least hugged those kids.  They were so glad to see her.

In addition to Nohemy's mom, at 1:00, Doris, Katy, Reina, and Fernando's mom and Jose and Ana's dad were there. At 1:20, Adonis and Guadalupe's mom came.  The other kids are waiting at Casa and it was a long wait.  Adonis's dad showed up later and wanted to bring every relative he had.  Nicole told him visitation was only for parents.  In the meantime, there were kids all over the property.  Not our kids.  They have to stay inside the church building.  Some claiming to be Adonis's relatives.  We asked them to leave.   My stress levels were off the charts. 

At 2:45, Jackson's mother and Any and Jair's mother showed up.  Cindy and Maryuri's mom and Brayan's mom never did show.  Matt was at Casa during the long wait.  Of course, there were tears.  Kids were all dressed up with presents they made for mom.  Waiting and waiting.  And mom doesn't show.

Sisi cries every month because there is no one to visit her.  I don't like visitation for the ones who have it and the ones who don't.    I have already warned the evening staff, there may be more tears and bad behavior tonight.  I would cry and act out too, if my mom didn't show.

Please, please pray for these little ones whose hearts are hurting so badly right now.

Terri