A Very Late Happy New Year

Well folks, it has been a while.

My life has taken an interesting turn lately, thanks to a six year-old girl.

Shortly before Christmas, I suggested to a friend that he volunteer with ACS for a party for the kids. When my own holiday malaise set in, I took
my own advice. The party was nice. It felt good to give back a little. They convinced me to play Santa for the young ones. (yep. fake beard and all)

At the end of the night, I noticed a little girl sitting by herself. She had a present or two, but looked so sad. I asked her what was wrong. She said
"I can't go to jail anymore". What? I asked her what she meant, and she said "They took me from Mommy and now I can't go see Daddy anymore"
What happened was, this girl had a shunt that went from her head to her abdomen. Someone had hit her in the neck with a ruler and the shunt broke. She didn't start showing neurological symptoms for a day or so after, but when she did, she was at school and the teacher had the girl taken to the E.R.

The E.R. didn't notify ACS. Why? I wish I knew. The child had to have surgery, but she was ok after. The night before she was to be discharged, the girl admitted to her nurse that her mother was the one who hit her. She then said "Mommy's gonna take me to jail today !" The nurse notified ACS
who removed the girl from the home. Now here she was, no family, no friends, none of her toys. It broke my heart. I got friends to pull strings for me. I didn't want this kid to have to be alone. I know there were countless others before her, in similar situations. For some reason, Mari got to me.
I decided to foster her. My sister is home during the day, her kids are in college, she offered to help. So, now my empty house isn't so empty anymore. Mari is intelligent, energetic (boy howdy) and surprisingly well adjusted. She stays with my sister on those nights that all hell breaks loose in the squad. But most times, it's just her and me. It's funny. You CAN miss something you've never had (although usually, you don't realize it until something changes) My ex, well, let's just leave that alone.

Mari is in school again, she seems happy here. I've heard nothing from ACS about her family and can't help but wonder, is it for the best ? (for her. For me, I hope I never hear from them.)

So, that's why it's been so long. Mari is keeping me busy, and I haven't been this content in a long while. She's only been here a few weeks, but it feels like she belongs here. With people who can give her what she needs.
***************************************************************************
Squad stuff.....

I'm gonna have to post later. Got the Brass on my ass and things have to keep running around here. Thanks everyone, for all your kind words and thoughts.