When all you can do is be there

This is a post I began 2 years ago. It got stuck in the purgatory of saved drafts, and I forgot about it. Reading through it was cathartic for me. The story had a happy ending. The little girl was reunited with her mother. The separation should never have happened in the first place, but they are together and happy now.

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Dec 1, 2016

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:  he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness

Today I went to a court hearing as a support to my friend.  Due to an overreaction at school and some language barrier problems, and probably some racism, her 8 year old daughter was taken into state custody 46 days ago.  She and her daughter have basically suffered all the agony of a kidnapping without the support of having a community behind them trying to help, because the state did the kidnapping.  Today was the hearing to determine what should be done next.  There is no evidence of abuse or neglect happening in the home, other than what the juvenile officers claim was told them by a little girl who has only spoken English for a year and was clearly asked leading questions that she nodded and smiled to because she didn’t understand what was being asked. I’m devastated that the decision was made for the government to retain custody pending more counseling for the daughter until March of next year, when another hearing will be held. That is months away. The harm and trauma it is causing this little girl and her mother can not be measured. I do not wish at this time to write a post about the terrifying amount of power that DFS and CPS have. My friend came to this country legally about a year ago, and our government has just bulldozed its way over her family.

I went to try to share my friend’s burden.  I do not know how to comfort her.  I cannot get her child back for her. But I was there, and I promised I would keep being there, and I assured her that in the end, right will prevail.

when I got home, I was pretty emotionally exhausted–too tired to do home school. I suggested to my girls that we do a service, and they voted to take cookies to our friend who is the primary care giver of her elderly mother with dementia.  The girls enjoyed making the cookies, and delivering them lifted  my spirits after such a difficult morning.

Best Oatmeal Cookies Ever:

1 cup coconut oil (the fragrant unrefined kind–butter also works here)

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1-1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

3 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup raisins

1. Preheat the oven to 325*F

2. Cream coconut oil/butter and sugars together.

3. Add eggs and vanilla.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

5. Add the flour to the coconut oil/butter and mix thoroughly.

6. Add the oatmeal and raisins and stir until they are evenly distributed.

7. Drop the cookie dough by rounded teaspoonfuls on an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges and firm when lightly tapped in the center.