Chaos, a storm of questions, a barrage of people, a million handouts, more paperwork on the horizon.
I felt like I had been put through the ringer after two hours.
And guess what?
I wasn’t even the one in the middle of the chaos. I was on the periphery as a support person for my 17-year-old CASA who will soon turn 18 and be “independent.”
I’m thinking to myself as she’s asked the same questions five times (and sadly, I have asked her these too), “Have you taken your ACT yet? Have you filled out your FAFSA? Do you know where to you want to go to school? Do you know where you’re going to live? Do you have a job? Do you have a car? What do you want to study? Have you signed up for scholarships?”
These are all valid, reasonable questions that have to be asked as she nears her 18th birthday and a “case plan” is developed for her. But through it all I see a little girl who is mature beyond her years who is confused with tears in her eyes.
Was I independent when I was 18? Uh. No. Did I do ok? Sure, but I had a stable home and people to count on.
I pray fervently that this little girl who will be independent can lift her head through the chaos, count on those who are there to help and hold on tight. I pray that God uses me to help her however she needs…and that I won’t be blind to the needs she has.
Ah me oh my 